Man, 34, killed in crash at Lake Ohau

A 34-year-old man was found dead close to his vehicle near Lake Ohau early yesterday morning.

Oamaru police Sergeant Blair Corlett said a passerby came across the crash at Freehold Creek Bridge and contacted emergency services at 5.30am. The one-lane bridge is located between Lake Ohau Village and Lake Ohau Lodge.

‘‘He approached the single lane bridge and has gone through the right hand side railing and flipped or rolled onto the creek bed below on the gravel,’’ Corlett said.

The deceased was ejected through the side window of the car and lay a couple of metres away from where it landed. He is believed to be a local man and to have been the only occupant of the vehicle. No other vehicle appeared to be involved.

Corlett said the man did not appear to be wearing a seat belt given the way he was ejected from the vehicle.

‘‘He approached the single lane bridge [hit the wooden railing] flipped and landed in the bed below on the gravel,’’ Corlett said.

The road was closed until 9.30am.

Corlett said it was possible the crash happened at 1am but a post mortem would confirm that. The police serious crash unit was continuing inquiries and the man’s next of kin were being notified.