A truck driver transporting the Foo Fighters' gear from Christchurch to Auckland was airlifted to hospital following an accident near Taihape on Thursday.
The man is in the intensive care unit of Palmerston North Hospital and is seriously ill but stable. He had moderate lacerations to his head, a St John Ambulance spokesperson said.
Motorist Richard Moore, of Tiki Tours, came across the accident and said the truck had overturned and smashed through a fence before going another 50m and stopping in a paddock.
The accident happened about 1pm. Mr Moore said the driver was "very lucky".
Police, NZ Defence Force emergency responders, St John and the Fire Service attended. The driver was flown to hospital by Taranaki Rescue Helicopter.
The crash derailed plans for the Foo Fighters' scheduled charity show in Auckland last night. Band members Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Nate Mendel and Chris Shiflett offered a message of support to the driver via Frontier Touring on Thursday.
"Foo Fighters and Frontier's thoughts are with our crew member for a full recovery."