Dirt biker injured in head on crash

A 24-year-old North Otago man was airlifted to hospital on Monday night after he allegedly collided head-on with another dirt bike rider.

Oamaru police Acting Sergeant Stuart Dowling said the crash occurred on Te Akatarawa Rd, in Otematata, at about 7.15pm.

"Three local guys were riding their dirt bikes after work and unfortunately, at one point they were going in opposite directions over a hill and collided head on," Mr Dowling said.

A 24-year-old local man was airlifted to hospital with a broken wrist and chest injuries.

Mr Dowling said he believed the 24-year-old was still in Dunedin Hospital waiting for the results of x-rays of the extent of internal injuries.

A 22-year-old male was taken by ambulance to Oamaru Hospital with minor injuries to his knee, he said.

"It's pretty unlucky. They've come over the hill directly at each other with nowhere to go," he said.

Alcohol was not a factor.

Fire crews from the Otematata Volunteer Fire Brigade and St John were first to the scene.