Two people transporting a load of bees were taken to hospital yesterday after the ute they were in rolled, spilling about 20 hives on to the road.
A witness said the southbound ute was forced to take evasive action on State Highway 1 after a northbound "sports car'' allegedly overtook four other vehicles.
The accident happened near Waitati, about 20km north of Dunedin, at 3.20pm.
The northbound car did not stop and police could not confirm if they had located the driver.
A truck driver, who preferred not to be named, was following the ute and said the car should not have been overtaking at the time.
"He was overtaking about four cars. There was no way he had enough room. He [the ute] had to swerve to not hit him.''
The truck driver stopped to help, despite bees buzzing around the crash site and his being allergic to them.
"They were both quite lucky,'' he said.
Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane, of Dunedin, said the male driver of the ute received head injuries while the female passenger had a broken arm.
A St John spokeswoman said the driver was airlifted by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital and the woman was transported by ambulance.
Both had moderate injuries, she said.
Firefighters from Waitati and Waikouaiti attended the crash.
Less than an hour later, emergency services were called to a second crash, 1km further south, on State Highway 1 at Evansdale.
No-one was injured in the second crash, about 4.10pm.
The road was closed soon after the first crash.
One lane was reopened at 4.10pm and traffic resumed in both directions about 5.15pm, Snr Sgt Lennane said.
