Roadside fight for Masterton teen

Flowers and a cross made of police cordon tape mark the scene of a crash on the Masterton Castlepoint Rd that claimed the life of a Masterton teenager on Monday night.

Passersby fought to save the life of a young Masterton woman involved in a crash that also left a man in a serious condition at Wellington Hospital on Monday night.

It is understood passing motorists were first to the scene of the fatal car crash, which involved a single vehicle and happened about 7pm on Masterton Castlepoint Rd.

The young man and 19-year-old woman were the only occupants in the car.

Masterton Police Sergeant Peter Rix confirmed the death of the woman, who is understood to have died hours later in hospital.

The car was heading into town when the driver lost control and the vehicle crossed over into the opposing lane before rolling along a stretch of roadside ditch for about 40 to 50m. The young woman was thrown from the car into the ditch and the man was hurled into a nearby paddock, both ending up about 10m from where the car eventually stopped.

A motorist travelling on the road, who did not want to be named, said she came across the scene when she noticed a car with its hazard lights on, on the opposite side of the road from the crash.

Another motorist was at the scene and administering CPR to the woman.

Ambulance crew arrived and also performed CPR on the woman.

Masterton Fire Service station officer Garry Nielsen said it appeared one person had been thrown out the back window, and the other through a passenger window.

The couple were taken to Wairarapa Hospital. Life Flight Westpac Rescue helicopter crew member Julian Burn said the man was then airlifted to Wellington Hospital. He was reported yesterday to be in a serious but stable condition.

A memorial to the young woman was erected at the scene of the crash using police cordon tape and flowers.

Police had not released her name at time of going to press, saying they still had other family members to contact.

Mr Rix said it was unclear if drugs and alcohol were involved or speed was a factor.

The serious crash unit is investigating.