89-year-old woman dies in Hastings crash

An 89-year-old woman is dead and an 82-year-old man is in hospital in a critical condition after a two-car head-on crash in Hastings today.

An off-duty police officer was first on the scene of the crash and fought to save the life of the driver of one of the cars.

Senior Sergeant Greg Brown said the 89-year-old woman, a passenger in one of the cars, died at the scene and the officer administered CPR to the 82-year-old driver until ambulance staff arrived.

The driver was taken to Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital in a critical condition.

The sole occupant and driver of the second car received moderate chest and leg injuries and is in a stable condition.

Both cars are extensively damaged.

The accident occurred at 2pm on Havelock Road near the intersection with St George Road in Hastings.

The cars were travelling in opposite directions on Havelock Road and it is believed that one of them crossed the centreline.

- NZPA