One seriously injured person has been taken to hospital after a light aeroplane crash in rural Canterbury.

A passenger was seriously injured after the plane landed short of a runway on Browns Rd, Oxford, about 40km from Christchurch.

St John Ambulance sent one rapid response unit, one first response unit and an ambulance, and treated two people for injuries.

The seriously injured person was taken to Christchurch Hospital,

Fire and Emergency NZ sent three crews to the scene about 2.40pm.

A Fenz spokesperson said a crew from Oxford was already at the scene, a grass aerodrome, and was helping police and ambulance with the response.

No one was reported trapped after the incident.

St John ambulance and police have been approached for comment.