A 39-year-old man suffered serious injuries in a forestry accident near Whakatane.

The TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter was dispatched to Ruatoki where a tree feller was hit by a punga that was dislodged by a tree he was falling at about 10.30am.

A forestry worker was airlifted to Tauranga Hospital this morning.

"The man received shoulder, back and leg injuries, was treated at the scene by St John paramedics before being flown to Tauranga Hospital for further treatment," says pilot Todd Durham.

The Department of Labour has been called in to investigate the accident.

The accident follows the death of another forestry worker in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough.

A man was pronounced dead by St John Paramedics about 10.30am.

The man's death is being investigated.