A young father was fighting for his life in Wellington Hospital last night after his truck crashed through a bridge barrier yesterday.
The truck fell 4m down onto the bank of the Maraetotara Stream.
Once again our fantastic rescue services were on the job.
The St John intensive care paramedics first tended to the driver before he was flown to Hawke's Bay Hospital by the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter.
The truck driver, who is just 25, was flown on to Wellington Hospital last night.
The Lowe Corp helicopter crew also airlifted a 39-year-old female to Hawke's Bay Hospital yesterday after she suffered spinal injuries from a horse accident on a Omakere farm. She was later discharged.
It really makes you stop and think when you read how many people our rescue services help.
You just never know when it might be you or someone you know and love who needs their help.
Without these people many of whom are volunteers, the survival rate from serious crashes would probably be zero.
They must see some horrific sights which I'm sure stays with them for a long time after.
Hopefully they all have supportive family and friends that they can talk confidentially with.
Yesterday's crash is the fifth on the the Waimarama Rd and Maraetotara Rd intersection since 2008.
The previous four were caused by drivers losing control on a bend. Perhaps it is time someone took a look at this stretch of road.
By about 2pm, police determined the package posed no threat.