The man, aged in his 30s, was the sole occupant of the Toyota Hiace van, which was travelling south along Geelong Road, near Gear Avenue, when his car left the road and hit a tree about 3.45pm.

Fire crews used the jaws-of-life to free the man from the van before he was transferred to the Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital with minor cuts and abrasions. 

Geelong Road, between Damascus College and the University of Ballarat, was closed in both directions for more than an hour after the crash.

Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the man had no obvious injuries, apart from minor scratches and bruising.

Three fire crews, four police teams and four ambulance units attended the scene. 

Buninyong County Fire Authority captain Marc Cannan said the crash was a timely warning for all drivers in the lead-up to Christmas. 

“Drivers need to take care during the holiday period,” he said.