Dodging possum proves deadly for Far North driver near Okaihau

The driver was conscious and talking when firefighters arrived but died in the back of an ambulance before he could be flown to hospital. Photo / File

A 62-year-old Far North man has died after swerving to avoid an animal — reportedly a possum or a hedgehog — on State Highway 1 north of Okaihau.

According to Kaitaia police, the driver swerved to avoid the animal, lost control and ran into a roadside drain near Umawera about 2.35am yesterday.

The impact caused the small hatchback to flip and land on its side.

The driver, who was heading north towards his home, was conscious and responsive when emergency services arrived but died while being treated in an ambulance.

Police would release his name once family members had been notified.

The Okaihau Fire Brigade was the first of the emergency services on the scene.

Chief fire officer Andrew Graham said the driver and sole occupant was out of the car and talking when they arrived.

Firefighters offered first aid until St John Ambulance arrived and prepared a helicopter landing site next to Umawera Hall. However, the driver died before he could be transferred to the waiting helicopter.

Yesterday's fatal crash brings the Far North road toll for the year to date to 10 and the Northland toll to 24.

Elsewhere in the Far North the Kawakawa Fire Brigade was called out about 12.50pm on Saturday when a car crashed into the VIP Superette after the driver's footwear got stuck on the accelerator. Damage was minor and no one was injured.

Earlier in the evening,about 7.15pm, Kaeo Fire Brigade responded to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 10 between the Matauri Bay turnoff and Matauri Bay Link Rd.

When they arrived, however, the driver had fled on foot. Police and St John Ambulance staff searched the area in vain.