Freed trapped driver in serious condition after crash north of Dunedin

A trapped driver was extracted from a vehicle after a collision on State Highway 1 between Evansdale and Waitati, north of Dunedin this morning.

Police are at the scene of the crash where a northbound light 4WD and a southbound LPG carrier crashed about 7.30am.

The driver of the 4WD became trapped after the crash and had to be extracted from the vehicle by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

A police spokeswoman said the man driving the 4WD suffered serious injuries and was taken to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit has been called in to investigate, police said.

Police earlier said the man suffered only minor injuries.

Police said the road is now open again.

Traffic is backed up for about a kilometre on either side of the accident. Photo / Stephen Jaquiery, Otago Daily Times

Earlier the NZ Transport Agency said the road was blocked and traffic is backed up for about a kilometre on either side of the accident.