A man is dead, and others received injuries, following two vehicle ''rollovers'' on rural Otago properties yesterday.
Police launched a search and rescue operation yesterday morning, after the family of a 61-year-old spraying contractor reported he had failed to return home the previous night.
The Mosgiel man was later found dead near a farm track on a Taieri property, Acting Senior Sergeant Chris MacAulay, of Dunedin, said.
The man had been contracted to spray around pylons in the area, and inquiries into his death were continuing.
Initial indications were his death may have been caused by his 4WD vehicle rolling over, Snr Sgt MacAulay said.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment was investigating the incident.
His death had also been referred to the coroner.
Police would not be releasing his name until all next of kin had been contacted.
In another rollover incident, emergency services were called to a rural property on Hillfoot Rd, Waiwera South, just off State Highway 1 near Balclutha.
The 4WD vehicle with three occupants was part of a convoy when it rolled just after 3pm.
The female driver and male passenger were flown by the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries.
''The guy in the passenger seat landed on his head and was basically choking, but once they righted him they got him going again,'' Waiwera South Volunteer Fire Brigade Officer Dean Richardson said last night.
The backseat passenger was unhurt.
