One of three men injured in a helicopter crash on Thursday in Hawke's Bay has died.
The helicopter, carrying five people, went down shortly before 9am on Ngamatea Station in the Kaweka Ranges.
The man, in his 40s, had been in a critical condition in the Hawke's Bay Hospital, a spokeswoman said.
His family said "he was a hugely loved husband, father and brother, and much loved by all his wider family and friends".
"His death is a tragic loss not only to his family but the wider farming community, and to all those who knew and loved him," they said in a statement.
Two other men are still in a serious but stable condition.
St John assessed two other men after they were flown by rescue helicopter to Bridge Pa Airport, a Hawke's Bay DHB spokesperson said.
They did not need medical treatment.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an inquiry into the cause of the crash.
The helicopter is believed to be a Hughes MD600N helicopter, TAIC said.
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