Two people have been rescued in a dramatic operation after a fishing boat ran aground near Dunedin this morning. 

The vessel struck ground at Harington Point about 7.30am. There are large swells in the area today. 

Emergency services have rushed to the scene. 

A helicopter was scrambled to pick up those on board. 

A fishing boat is destroyed after running aground near Dunedin this morning. Photo / Ben Tomsett 

Hato Hone St John has sent an ambulance and rapid response vehicle. 

Two people have been rescued and are back on land, with one being flown to Dunedin Hospital in a moderate condition. 

Two people have been rescued from the stricken vessel. Photo / Ben Tomsett 

A second patient was assessed and treated by St John at the scene but did not require to be taken to hospital. 

A bystander said they worked part-time on the boat and drove to the scene after seeing reports online. 

“It’s a real shame, it was a nice boat... and now it’s just totalled.”