Crash victims lucky to escape harm

SCENE: Two cars collided on State Highway 2, near Masterton, but nobody was seriously injured. PHOTO/CHERIE TAYLOR

Car seats have once again been credited with saving the lives of young children in a crash which could have been quite a serious incident, a fire fighter says.

A car allegedly pulling out of Taratahi East Rd and turning right on to State Highway 2, about 12pm yesterday, was in collision with a car travelling south. One vehicle spun onto the left side of the highway and was left facing north, with debris from both vehicles strewn across the road.

Carterton chief fire officer Wayne Robinson said no one was seriously injured in the crash but two elderly people from one vehicle had been taken to Wairarapa Hospital as they were "shaken".

Two young children were safely strapped into car seats which had more than likely saved their lives, Mr Robinson said.

One child was only about 6 months old.

"Car seats or booster seats have saved these children from serious injury."

The car the children were in was extensively damaged in the front and would probably be written off, he said.

Meanwhile, as police and firefighters cleared the road of debris and washed away oil from the road, southbound traffic was diverted along Taratahi East Rd.

Northbound traffic could still travel through the area.