A spate of crashes occurred on State Highway 1 between Henley and Balclutha on Sunday, including one that closed the highway for an hour and a-half.
A southbound Suzuki Escudo four-wheel drive, driven by a 77-year-old Allanton man, collided with a northbound station wagon, driven by a 25-year-old Gore man, north of Waihola on Sunday night.
Barely two hours beforehand, a 20-year-old Dunedin woman had crashed her vehicle north of Waihola. The day's road incidents began at 5am, when a 28-year old Kaka Point woman drove into a ditch north of Balclutha.
Senior Constable Steve Griffiths, of Milton, said police received traffic complaints about the driver of the Suzuki shortly before the crash, stating the car had narrowly avoided two other vehicles before striking the station wagon about 9.25pm.
Volunteer firefighters from Waihola and Milton attended the scene and cut the 77-year-old free from his four-wheel drive because the driver's door was jammed shut.
Snr Const Griffiths said the 77-year-old man might have suffered a medical event contributing to the crash and inquiries were continuing.
The drivers of both vehicles were taken to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance, receiving treatment for minor cuts and bruises. The 77-year-old was kept overnight for observation. Both vehicles were badly damaged.
Traffic was diverted through Titri Rd, while State Highway 1 was closed from 9.25pm until 11pm.
The crash followed two others on Clutha roads on Sunday.
A 28-year-old Kaka Point woman drove into a ditch north of Balclutha shortly before 5am.
Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Balclutha, said the woman saw a black cow on the road, swerved to avoid it, and drove into a ditch. She suffered no major injuries but her car was significantly damaged.
Police also attended another crash north of Waihola, about 7.30pm.
Sgt Dinnissen said a 20-year-old Dunedin woman drove through a fence off State Highway 1 near Bungard Rd, causing no injuries to herself or her female passenger, but causing major damage to her vehicle.
Wet weather may have contributed to the crash and a police investigation is ongoing.
• Lawrence: Two people were flown to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries after a logging truck rolled on forestry land about 37km west of Lawrence yesterday morning.
Senior Constable Robert Wallace, of Lawrence, said a fully loaded logging truck rolled on Sharps Rd, near Blackcleugh about 10am yesterday.
The police and the Department of Labour are investigating.
