A Bay of Plenty truck driver who survived a fatal crash says he had “no time to react” before the “head-on” collision.
Speedway legend Graeme “Skinny” Colson is in Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries, including a “munted” leg, after the crash on State Highway 2 at Pukehina on Monday afternoon.
The driver of the other vehicle died at the scene.
Police are investigating the crash and would not comment on the circumstances.
Colson told the Bay of Plenty Times he remembered “everything” about those moments.
“But I’m hanging out to come right because I’m building a hotrod.”
Colson said he had been “a real petrolhead all my life”.
He spent 39 years speedway racing – including winning seven New Zealand Grand Prix titles and two New Zealand North Island competitions – before retiring in 2020.
Before speedway racing, he did four-wheel drive rallying for seven years and won a national championship.
Colson said he got the nickname “Skinny” many years ago during his racing days.
“We’re grateful our driver is recovering well, and we want to thank the incredible ambulance and police teams who attended for their care and professionalism under difficult circumstances.
“We also want to thank the other truck drivers who stopped to help, we appreciate their quick actions and support.”