Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman suffered serious injures when a loose fuel cap went through her windscreen and hit her in the face yesterday.
The fuel cap flew off a vehicle on Luggate-Cromwell Rd (SH6) in Central Otago and went through the woman's windscreen before hitting her.
Police say the woman, in her 60s, was driving a white Toyota Yaris when the "old brass diesel cap" struck her, causing serious facial injuries.
A St John spokeswoman told the Herald the fuel cap "smacked a woman in the mouth".
She was airlifted by helicopter following the incident at about 3.30pm on Friday, arriving at Dunedin Hospital a couple of hours later.
As of midday on Saturday, the woman was still in a serious condition at Dunedin Hospital a duty-manager told the Herald.
The cap has been recovered by police and they are currently working to establish where it came from.
They would like to speak to anyone who was driving on the Luggate-Cromwell Road yesterday who may have seen the object on the road, or possibly saw it come off a passing vehicle.
They are also keen to establish the kind of vehicle it came from.
The brass cap is 90mm in diameter, weighs 672g, and has a scalloped edge for gripping and a male thread pattern.
Police are also looking for anyone who may have dashcam footage from the Luggate-Cromwell Road yesterday.
Anyone who may be able to help is asked to contact police on 105.
- Additional reporting ODT online
