A Christchurch man is nursing possible broken ribs and back injuries after his car drove off Scarborough Hill into a tree this morning.
The man in his 40s was negotiating a "very steep driveway" in the seaside suburb of Sumner when his brakes apparently failed about 7.50am.
ConstableRichard Scott, of Sumner police, said the car careered down the driveway and over a retaining wall, becoming wedged between the tree and a steel pole.
"The steel pole and the tree probably saved him because if he'd gone any further he would have dropped about four metres into a driveway below," Mr Scott told NZPA.
The crash happened on private property.
A St John spokesman said the man was taken by ambulance to Christchurch Hospital with moderate to serious injuries.
