Driver walks away

A driver who police believe fell asleep at the wheel escaped almost unscathed from a crash on a Northland state highway.

Two fire trucks, an ambulance and a police team responded to the accident on SH14, about 1km past Whatitiri on the way to Dargaville, about 4pm yesterday.

Police were surprised the driver survived the crash with only minor cuts.

It appeared the man aged in his 60s crossed the centre line while coming down a hill, then slipped into a culvert before the car rammed against a rock and flipped several times, police said.

Constable Geoff Bray said the man would be taken home and spoken to before any decision would be made on whether charges should be laid.

Alcohol was not a factor and it appeared fatigue contributed to the crash, he said.

Firefighters helped manage the traffic flow while St John paramedics treated the man.