A teenager who crashed a car in icy conditions in the Kawarau Gorge overnight abandoned the vehicle and made his way 40km home to Arrowtown.
The car was found down a bank, with its hazard lights on, near the Roaring Meg car park on State Highway 6 between Cromwell and Queenstown.
Fire Service southern communications shift manager Andrew Norris said it appeared the car had slipped on an ''incredibly icy'' road and careened down a
bank about 3am.
The crash happened on a blind corner making the vehicle hard for emergency services to find, he said.
The driver was a 17-year-old from Arrowtown, Senior Sergeant Paula Enoka, of Queenstown, said.
He was travelling home when the crash happened but left the scene before police arrived.
She confirmed officers spoke to the teen at his home address.
He admitted he slid on black ice, crossed the centre line and hit the bank - leaving the car on its side.
The vehicle was extensively damaged but he wasn't injured.
Snr Sgt Enoka said alcohol wasn't a factor.
Investigations into the crash will continue today when police will decide whether charges will be laid.
A police media spokesperson said it was unclear how the teen made it almost 40km from the crash site to his home address.
With temperatures plummeting in Queenstown, Snr Sgt Enoka stressed people should take extra care when driving in winter weather.
''We would urge everyone to drive to the conditions and especially coming into the Gorge [Kawarau] where there is likely to be ice at times.''
