A four-wheel-drive was left teetering on the edge of a cliff this morning after a crash, prompting fears it could fall onto the properties below.
Emergency services were called to the crash on Marine Drive, between James Drive and Black Rock Rd, near Charteris Bay, about 10am on Wednesday.
A fire crew from the Diamond Harbour station worked to stabilise the vehicle and secure it to the cliff face.
The driver has been safely removed from the vehicle.
Several houses below the cliff were evacuated as a precaution while the vehicle was removed.
Sergeant Franco Lovrich said the driver was "extremely lucky to not have any serious injuries".
He said the vehicle was "precariously perched on a pole", which was the only thing that saved it from going over the cliff.
The cause of the crash is being investigated. However, it is understood the driver may have had a medical event.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman at the scene said it appeared the four-wheel-drive had been driven off the road and no other vehicles were involved.
A St John ambulance treated the driver at the scene. Police were also speaking to the driver.
Marine Drive was closed for a short time to allow the vehicle to be removed following an earlier crash.
