A Wanaka man has drowned after the vehicle he was driving crashed into the Turnbull River near Haast.
Ian Charles Horrax died and his 75-year-old passenger escaped unhurt after the car he was driving crashed about 7.30pm on Monday.
A police spokesperson says the 68-year-old was driving along a track after visiting friends on another whitebait stand. The Toyota Rav 4 suddenly left the track, crashed over a steep bank and into the river.
The passenger managed to escape through his window before the car sank, but the driver did not get out.
The car washed 100 metres downstream, where it got caught in a deep hole, and was recovered from the river about 9pm on Monday with Mr Horrax inside.
Police are investigating the crash.
