Fatigue blamed for Rimutaka crash

SMASH: Featherston firefighters and Wellington Free Ambulance paramedics attend a Sunday crash near the top of the Rimutaka Hill Rd.

A driver who slammed his car into the rock near the top of the Rimutaka Hill Rd yesterday morning may have been fatigued, say police.

Featherston firefighters and paramedics were called out shortly after 7am after a lone Wairarapa-bound driver crossed the centre line on a tight corner and collided nearly head-on with the rock cliff face opposite.

The 1994 Nissan Lucino did not have airbags and the male driver suffered minor facial injuries.

A Wellington Free Ambulance rapid response vehicle was first at the scene, followed by fire crew and Featherston senior constable Scott Simpson.

The driver looked shaken but was able to walk to an ambulance, which transported him to Wairarapa Hospital.

Mr Simpson said it looked like the man had "chinned" the steering wheel.

He said alcohol was not a factor in the crash, saying "early morning fatigue" was the likely cause.

Emergency services had the additional challenge of negotiating two sets of traffic lights on Rimutaka Hill Rd, in place for roading works.

New Zealand Transport Agency road workers assisted with traffic control until Featherston fire crew set up a stop-go cordon.