Three rescued from sinking boat off Canterbury coast

The capsized boat. Photo / supplied

Three people have been admitted to hospital after they were rescued from a sinking boat near Christchurch last night.

At 11.10pm last night, police received a report of a boat in distress.

Staff tracked the boat to a location off Waimairi Beach, and about 11.35pm an officer at the beach spotted a boat that appeared to be struggling about 2km offshore.

The boat ran aground offshore about midnight, and a Westpac Rescue Helicopter was dispatched.

Shortly before 1am the helicopter airlifted three people to safety - two from the boat and one from the water.

All three were taken to hospital, two in a serious condition.

Today police have asked the public to avoid swimming at the beach.

"There is a small amount of fuel and debris which poses a safety risk to swimmers," said a spokesperson.

"Police and other agencies are working to clear this as quickly as possible."