Police charge drink driver who crashed into Hastings orchard

A 27-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly crashed into a pile of fruit crates 10 metres above the ground following a police chase.

The man has been charged with driving with excess blood alcohol, reckless driving and failing to stop.

On April 4, the car was spotted driving with excessive speed on the wrong side of Karamu Road, Hastings. 

The driver failed to stop for police shortly before 12:30am and fled down Kenilworth Road in Mayfair.

After hitting a patch of gravel at the base of the railway lines, the car became "airborne" and soared over the fence, police told Newshub.

It then crashed into an orchard's stack of fruit bins, landing 10 metres above the ground.

Fire and Emergency NZ helped free the driver, who was taken to Hawke's Bay hospital with serious injuries.

The man will appear in the Hastings District Court on Wednesday.