He said there were multiple fire crews, St John Ambulance staff and police at the scene.
“Everyone did everything they could.”
Hackling said it “took an effort to help get” the men from down the bank and into an ambulance.
The property emergency services were called to backs on to Marfell Park, but there is a drop to it and a line of trees.
A Taranaki District Health Board spokeswoman confirmed both men were brought to Taranaki Base Hospital on Saturday night.
“One person is deceased. The other person, who is a male in his 50s, remains in hospital in a stable condition.”