The man who crashed over a steep bank on the Kawarau Gorge on Wednesday and spent the night in his car remains in intensive care in Dunedin Hospital.
The 29-year-old Japanese man from Wanaka remains in a critical condition. His injuries have not been disclosed by Dunedin Hospital staff.
The driver's vehicle was spotted by Fulton Hogan employer Hami Smiler on Thursday morning when he and a colleague were travelling from Queenstown to Cromwell. Mr Smiler climbed down the 10m bank and found a trail of items which led him to the car with the driver trapped inside.
Police have praised Mr Smiler for his alertness.
Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown emergency services attended the scene. After the man was extricated from his car, he was airlifted at 1pm by a Southern Lakes rescue helicopter to Lakes District Hospital and then Dunedin Hospital.
Police contacted his family in New Zealand and Japan.
Sergeant Derek Ealson, of Queenstown, said the crash would be investigated.
