A truck driver's head was held above water by a passerby after his vehicle slid off a bridge into the Keyburn river in Central Otago.
Police said the cab of the vehicle was crushed when it landed in 1m of water about 3.40pm today.
The 57-year-old driver was trapped but managed to keep his nose and mouth above water until a passing motorist came to his aid.
She held the driver's head above water for 15 minutes until emergency services arrived.
Police said he was cut free and flown to Dunedin Hospital with lacerations and possible head injuries, which were not considered to be life-threatening.
