Driver Airlifted After Car Plunges 25 Metres Down Bank

A driver was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a single-vehicle crash on a rural highway in Central Otago. The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, around 07:20 hours, when the vehicle veered off State Highway 8, situated north of Roxburgh.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, which is located between Waikaia Bush Road and Eliot Road. According to police reports, the car went off the road at Shingle Creek before plunging down a steep 25-metre bank.

Authorities confirmed that the driver sustained significant injuries and required immediate medical attention, necessitating an airlift to a nearby hospital.

Motorists are being advised to expect delays on State Highway 8 as emergency teams manage the situation and conduct investigations. Police urge all drivers in the area to exercise caution and adhere to any detours or road closures that may be in effect.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with officials examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.