Passing motorist rescues man after crash

A passing motorist rescued a man who had crashed 40m down a bank in the Upper Buller Gorge early today.

Only a tree stopped the vehicle's downhill slide towards the Buller River near the Iron Bridge.

Police said the injured driver, who was returning to Nelson when he lost control of the vehicle, was able to clamber out a window and back up to State Highway 6 after the crash, some time before 2am.

Acting senior sergeant Mike Underwood, of Greymouth police, said the driver was "very lucky" to walk away. He was picked up by a passing motorist, who took him to Reefton and later flown by the NZCC Rescue Helicopter to Grey Base Hospital with moderate injuries.