Police are warning motorists to take care on a "notorious" section of Portobello Rd, Dunedin, after a car skidded off the road and into Otago Harbour.
The accident, at 10.55pm on Friday, happened as a car containing four people and heading towards Dunedin failed to negotiate a corner on Portobello Rd, between Sunnybrae and St Ronans, Sergeant Chris George said.
It appeared the driver of the vehicle lost control and skidded about 25 metres, crossing the centre line before colliding with a power pole, he said.
The force of the impact caused the car to roll, plunge off the road and into Otago Harbour, where it landed upside down in the water.
"It was high tide at the time and the vehicle was in about 1.5 metres of water," Sgt George said.
The four occupants were able to free themselves and get back to the road, where they were treated by St John ambulance staff.
Some were later taken to Dunedin Hospital for precautionary medical checks, he said.
Senior Constable Lox Kellas, of Portobello, said Friday's accident occurred at a notorious corner where 20 crashes had occurred in the past three years.
He urged motorists to use caution on Portobello Rd.
Sgt George said that from an initial scene examination it did not appear speed was a factor in Friday's crash, which occurred in a 70kmh zone.
An investigation was continuing, but no other details were available, he said.
