The grandmother of a 5-year-old girl critically injured in a crash in the Bay of Islands is seeking the "angel" who gave her granddaughter a chance of survival.
Hinehou Apiata, of Waitangi, said she was immensely grateful to a young woman who was first on the scene and started the child breathing again. She was convinced her granddaughter's saviour was an angel sent to save her life.
Mrs Apiata wants to pass on her gratitude in person, as well as that of the two families, and "give her a hug and a cuddle".
"I believe God sent her there. I want the whole world to know we're just so grateful to her," Mrs Apiata said.
The head-on crash occurred on January 8 on a winding section of Russell-Whakapara Rd. Sergeant Peter Masters, of Paihia police, said it appeared a Mitsubishi Lancer driven by a man in his 40s and carrying 5-year-old twins crossed the centre line and collided with a Nissan Navara ute heading in the opposite direction.