Injured rally driver discharged from hospital

The brothers' rally car smashed into the parapet of this stock underpass. Both men survived, but one is in hospital with serious injuries. Photo / Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance

A Kiwi rally driver seriously injured in a crash during the Targa Rotorua rally in June has been been discharged from Waikato Hospital.

Sydney-based Stuart Scoular, 42, suffered serious leg and hip injuries when his car left the road and hit the exposed edge of a concrete abutment on the eighth stage of the annual two-day event west of Lichfield. He was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where his right leg was amputated below the knee.

Before leaving hospital, Scoular said he and his co-drive, and brother, Bret Scoular, were lucky to be alive.

"Fortunately Bret suffered few injuries from the incident. However I have had and will continue to have a long journey of recovery.''

Key injuries included fractures of the pelvis, ribs, collarbone, right leg femoral, left leg tibia and lower back, splenic laceration and the amputation.

Scoular said he had "phenomenal support'' from many people and one of the highlights was a visit from All Blacks Kieran Read and Wyatt Crockett.

He thanked staff and surgeons at the hospital and his family, friends and work colleagues for ongoing support and encouragement.

"The next part of my journey will be returning to Australia for further medical care and rehabilitation. The prognosis remains good with a high chance of walking in the next couple of months. I am looking forward to going home with my family and returning to work in the coming months.''