A Mataura man had a lucky escape when his car split in two after hitting a tree on State Highway 1 at Mataura early yesterday morning.
Sergeant Clint Wright, of Gore, said the Subaru car the 20 year-old Mataura man was driving crossed the centre line while travelling south at the northern approach to Mataura at 5.30am and veered across the road for about 50 metres on to a grass verge.
After bouncing off one tree on the verge, the car split in two after striking a second tree, Sgt Wright said.
The man, who was conscious after the accident, told police there had been a passenger in the vehicle, however following a search police believed that was not the case, he said.
The man was transported to a nearby rugby ground by ambulance and to Southland Hospital by helicopter. He had suffered broken ribs and was to be assessed for other injuries.
''This person is very, very lucky,'' Sgt Wright said.
SH1 was closed for two hours while the scene was examined by police.
There were no signs of ice or braking marks on the road and it was not known if alcohol was involved, Sgt Wright said.
Police investigations were continuing.
