'I was screaming for my life'

Dontae Walker-Macdonald with mum Chelsea Walker and her partner Freedom Walker in Hawkes Bay Hospital yesterday. Photo / APN

As she watched a car and then a truck hurtle towards her, Chelsea Walker's only thought was how she and her family could survive the head-on collision - and the pile-up that put 12 people in hospital.

Miss Walker, 21, was driving back to Shannon from a day at Hastings' Splash Planet adventure park with her 4-year-old son Dontae Walker-Macdonald and partner Freedom Walker, 24.

They were talking about how enjoyable their day had been when the crash "happened so fast".

"I saw a white car coming towards us," Miss Walker told the Herald from her hospital bed. "It had crossed over the centre line and smacked straight into my son's door."

The impact sent the family's car spinning into the other lane, into the path of an oncoming truck.

"It was kind of like a daze. Because at that time we were spinning and seeing that truck ... It was just a nightmare. Apparently I was screaming for my life."

The noise was indescribable, she said.

"It was something you'd never forget. My partner says it was like our car was being thrown around like a rag doll."

The crash closed State Highway 2 just north of Otane, 35km southwest of Hastings, for three hours on Monday night, and extra staff had to be called into Hawkes Bay Hospital to cope with the 12 injured people.

Eight people were still in hospital last night, three in a serious condition.

Miss Walker yesterday told the Herald she didn't know how her family survived. "We were all just shocked. We managed to get away with a few grazes here and there ... I think God was watching over us. It was a huge miracle."

Travelling with them were Mr Walker's sister Cedayle Walker, 17 and nephew Whetu Wade, 11, who both had minor injuries and have been discharged from hospital.

The image of the car and truck coming towards her are imprinted on Miss Walker's memory.

"It was a nightmare. You sort of believe it won't happen because you always think nothing like that will happen to you.

"We spun across ... My whole bonnet got run over by the truck. It was following the white car and couldn't stop in time. Luckily it missed us all and got my bonnet instead."

The collision destroyed the front of the vehicle, sending the engine flying into a paddock. A wheel was found 200m down the road.

After hitting Miss Walker's car, the truck and car collided with another south-bound car behind Miss Walker.

Miss Walker comforted Dontae who was complaining of a sore head.

"Everyone who stopped was so helpful. They got out their first aid kits and checked that we were okay," she said.

Dontae was under observation last night for a chest injury, but was expected to be discharged today.

Senior Sergeant Luke Shadbolt, of Hastings police, said it was too early to say what caused the crash but driver inattention may have contributed.

"There's a lot of people to speak to - most of them are still in hospital receiving treatment."

He said the fact there were no deaths was incredible, and it was lucky some of the first people on the scene were qualified nurses who were able to help the injured.