Police are responding to reports of a helicopter crash in the Lindis Pass.

Police and the Civil Aviation Authority have launched an investigation after a man was killed in a helicopter crash near the Lindis Pass.

A St John spokesman confirmed that one person - a 32-year-old man - was found dead at the scene of the crash east of the Lindis Pass late on Saturday morning.

Do you know more about this? Contact us newstips@stuff.co.nz

The other occupant of the helicopter, a man aged 51, has been flown to Dunedin Hospital with serious head and chest injuries.

A Southern Police spokesperson said the helicopter was believed to be a Robinson R22.

Police have secured the scene and notified the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of the crash.

A full investigation is being conducted by police and the CAA, and officers are currently locating and notifying next of kin.

A St John spokesman said St John was alerted to the incident about 11.30am, and the Otago Rescue Helicopter was dispatched. Due to the remoteness of the location and foggy weather conditions, it did not arrive at the scene until about 12.50pm, he said.

A CAA spokesman said the crash occurred at about 11am. Crash scene investigators were expected to travel to the scene on Sunday to conduct a scene examination, he said.

He believed the crash occurred about 1 kilometre from the Lindis Pass-Tarras Rd.

A Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) spokesman said another helicopter carrying a cliff rescue team was en route from Wanaka.

Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen​ said a beacon was activated shortly before 12 noon.