Person seriously injured after car hits tree in Gisborne

Firefighters who assisted at a crash scene on Awapuni Rd (pictured) Monday morning said the occupant of the vehicle was 'very lucky', after a car smashed into a tree, crushing its roof. Photo / Murray Robertson

A person was left in a serious condition after a car hit a large tree on Awapuni Rd in Gisborne early on Monday morning.

The incident took place about 12.30am, just past the Beacon St intersection on Awapuni Rd.

“The man’s car went off the road and rolled onto its side,” a senior firefighter said.

“The roof of the car was crushed against the trunk of the tree.”

The crash happened just west of Beacon St on Awapuni Rd shortly after midnight. Photo / Murray Robertson

The man had managed to get out of the vehicle when the emergency services arrived.

“He was very lucky,” the senior firefighter said.

The man was the sole occupant of the car.

A police spokesperson said one person had serious injuries and was taken to Gisborne Hospital.

Police have an inquiry under way into the circumstances of the crash.