He was spotted near the Clutha River late yesterday morning after a group of men noticed a fence and gate had been smashed.
The three men - Allan Murdoch, Fraser Jones and Mark Sutton - had been preparing their maimai for the upcoming duck-shooting season and were returning to Inch Clutha about 11am when they saw the aftermath of what appeared to be a crash.
When the trio got out of their car and looked down the riverbank, they saw the mangled remains of a four-wheel-drive vehicle and the sole occupant lying beside it.
Mr Sutton said it appeared the man had managed to free himself from the car.
‘‘He was just lying there, more or less right beside the car . . . he sort of gave a groan. He was with it, but not really.''
Mr Sutton phoned emergency services and the trio stayed with the man until help arrived. He was admitted to Dunedin Hospital with multiple fractures and head injuries and was undergoing surgery last night.
Mr Sutton played down suggestions the group's actions were heroic.
‘‘We just happened to be driving past and noticed something was up. That's all.''
The man was believed to be in his early 30s. His name would not be released until his family had been informed.
Sergeant Martin Bull, of Balclutha, said the man had failed to take a sweeping left-hand bend on the Kaitangata highway just past Stirling township.
His car had crossed over a cow race and into trees near the riverbank.
Sgt Bull said it was unclear how long the man had been trapped in his car, but he suspected the crash happened early yesterday, meaning he may have been there for 10 or more hours. A police serious crash team examined the crashed vehicle yesterday. It was too early to say if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash, Sgt Bull said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the vehicle is asked to contact Balclutha police.
