Elderly man killed in crash named

The elderly man who died in a Hawke's Bay crash has been named.

The man who died in a Hawke's Bay car crash on Sunday has been named as 94-year-old Alan Skittrup - a "cherished" great grandfather.

The incident happened some time after 5pm as he and wife Nancy, 89, were heading home to Taradale Masonic Village after lunch with family at a Puketapu Rd property, west of Napier.

Mr Skittrup was driving a silver Toyota Yaris which veered off the gravel driveway and rolled 15m down a bank before coming to rest against a tree. Police believe he died on impact.

Nancy was discovered by her daughter about 8.30am the next day, having been trapped in the vehicle beside her husband's body for 15 hours.

Last night, she remained in Hawke's Bay Hospital and was listed as stable. She suffered cuts and injuries to her chest, hip and head, she was also very cold after the ordeal.

While she had hearing difficulties, Mrs Skittrup was able to communicate with emergency services and was described by St John Hawke's Bay district operations manager Stephen Smith as in "good spirits".

Mr Skittrup was a "beloved husband", "much loved" father and "cherished" grandfather, "pop" and great-grandfather to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Police were yet to determine what may have caused the crash.