One killed in North Otago crash

The crash took place on a road inland from Oamaru. File photo / NZ Herald

An 80-year-old Oamaru man is dead after he crashed his ute into a creek bed on his way to an appointment in rural North Otago, police say.

His name has not yet been released.

Emergency services were called to the Tokarahi-Ngapara Road, nearly 40km from Oamaru, yesterday afternoon.

The man missed an appointment and his Toyota ute was found in the creek bed by a passerby, Oamaru police said.

It appeared the man failed to take a corner, although when the accident happened was unclear.

His death has been referred to the coroner.

The annual road toll stood at 174 this morning. At the same time last year it was 244