Emergency services were called to State Highway 1 on the outskirts of the South Otago town about 5am yesterday. A man, the driver and sole occupant of the ute, was flown to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition. Police would not provide details of the man yesterday, other than to say he was in a stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
A spokeswoman said it was too early to comment on the crash’s cause. Police "would not speculate at this stage" on whether alcohol or speed were factors, or whether the man was wearing a seatbelt.
"It will all form part of our investigation," she said.
The serious crash unit had arrived by 9am yesterday and was investigating the matter.
Diversions were set up as the area of SH1 where the crash occurred, between Old Lake Rd and Blaikie Rd, remained closed for much of the morning as police pieced together the crash.
A St John spokesman said the man was thrown from the vehicle when it rolled.
He was flown to Dunedin Hospital by the Otago Rescue Helicopter.
A rapid response unit and ambulance attended, as did Clinton firefighters.
