A kayaking group was forced to light a fire after one paddler fell from his kayak and became cold.

The 72-year-old had been had been kayaking with a group down the Whakatane River from Rautahuna, when he fell from his kayak and became wet and cold.

The Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter was dispatched at around 11am yesterday to help rescue him.

'The group lit a fire to dry him out and called for help, as he was unable to continue due to a sore back,” says a spokesperson.

'Fortunately, he did not require hospital treatment, so was airlifted by the rescue helicopter to waiting family in Whakatane.”

Following this incident, the helicopter was dispatched again to help a man in the Redwood Forest mountain bike park.

'A 36-year-old Wellington man had fallen from his bike, resulting in a broken leg.

'Due to the location of the man, the rescue helicopter utilised the Port of Tauranga Rescue Winch to lift the man from the rugged terrain.

'The man was treated by paramedics before being taken to Rotorua Hospital for treatment.”

The rescue helicopter was then tasked by Tauranga Hospital later that evening for an urgent transfer of a 4-year-old boy to Greenlane Hospital, Auckland for specialist treatment of a serious medical condition.