“Police enquiries include exploring whether the man may have been injured earlier, and in a different location, to where he was found,” a police statement said this morning.
Hato Hone St John said they were notified of the incident at 6.13pm and responded with an ambulance, helicopter, and rapid response vehicle.
“One patient was assessed at the scene and airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition,” a spokesman said.
The road was closed last night while emergency services attended.
Police said they would have an increased presence in the area while inquiries were ongoing.