Whitebaiter who died after car crash named

An elderly man died from injuries sustained in a crash on Saturday.PHOTO/FILE

The elderly man who died after escaping his crashed car at the weekend near Tutira has been named.

Sergeant Kevin Stewart said he was 81-year-old Leslie Trevor Mildon, who was known as Les.

Mr Stewart said the man had crashed his car while driving from Napier to Wairoa to go whitebaiting on Saturday morning.

"The car went off the road and down a gully landing on the railway line. Mr Mildon then managed to extricate himself from the car and he clambered up the bank where he waved down a passing motorist."

Emergency services were called halfway between Tutira and Putorino along SH2, near Matahorua Road at about 8.30am. Mr Mildon was accessed at the scene before being taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Unfortunately his condition deteriorated and at about 10.30pm on Saturday night Mr Mildon died.

Mr Stewart said he was a well known butcher in Napier and was a very active man who loved whitebaiting.

Police extended their sympathies to his family and friends.

He was the only occupant of the car. The Serious Crash Unit is continuing to investigate.