A helicopter pilot has been flown to hospital after crashing on Wellington’s remote west coast.

The pilot was found trapped in his chopper after it went down near the Makara wind farm.

Maritime NZ said the impact of the helicopter crash triggered an automatic alert, which the Rescue Co-ordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) received at 7.50am.

RCCNZ advisor Vince Cholewa said the pilot was carrying out agriculture work near Mākara Beach and was the only person on board the Robinson 66.

Cholewa said the electronic location transmitter (ELT) alert prompted dispatch of the Lifeflight, Wellington rescue helicopter and medical teams.

Cholewa said the pilot was freed and flown to Wellington Hospital.