Teen critical after Taranaki crash

File photo / NZ Herald

A teenager with major facial injuries has been cut from a crashed car and rushed to hospital in a critical condition this morning.

The male driver, believed to be about 18 years old, was found unconscious but breathing by a passing motorist on Richmond Rd at Lepperton in Taranaki this morning.

The car was found on its side about 6am, a police spokesman said.

Firefighters used hydraulic equipment to cut the driver from the car.

An ambulance spokeswoman said the man was believed to have been in the car "for some time" before he was discovered.

She said there was no confirmation of the details of his injuries but he had suffered "major facial injuries".

He was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital.