Alcohol and speed factors in crash, police say

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

WRECK: Emergency services work at the scene of the crash. Pictured is the tree, with the car's bonnet lodged in branches, which the vehicle hit as it spun end over end.

A man has been airlifted to Christchurch Hospital after he was cut from a car that rolled on State Highway 1 on the Orari-Rangitata Highway this morning.

Senior constable Mike Stephens said alcohol and speed were factors in the crash.

The man's car had allegedly been travelling north in excess of 120kph, overtaking other vehicles and swerving before it veered off the road, hit the edge of a creek, and rolled. The car bounced seven or eight times, bonnet to tail, and smashed into a tree before coming to rest on its wheels.

The crash left a trail of skid marks and debris stretching about 100m.

Another car was travelling about 50 to 100m behind it.

Emergency services from Geraldine and Timaru responded to the crash which happened opposite the Rangitata Oasis Tearooms at 10.28am.

Fire crews had to cut the driver and sole occupant, a Maori or Polynesian man in his mid-30s, from the white Toyota.

A trail of skid marks and debris stretched about 100m along the road.

The man 's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police are speaking to witnesses at the scene.