Two people have been flown to hospital after being rescued from the water off Ōnemana Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Fire and Emergency from Ōnemana and Whangamatā, police, St John and Auckland Westpac Rescue responded to the incident around 5.10pm.

A St John spokesperson said an ambulance and two helicopters were sent.

A flight tracker showed a helicopter circling over the water.

The flight path of an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter as emergency services and rescuers responded to the incident.

“We believe two people have gotten into difficulty in the water.

“At this stage, we have transported two patients in a moderate condition to Middlemore Hospital by helicopter.”