Seatbelt saves driver in wild ride

LUCKY ESCAPE: This Holden Astra, which crashed on Norfolk Rd on Friday, is said to have travelled "a fair old distance". PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A seatbelt has proved a lifesaver for a Masterton woman who crashed on Norfolk Rd on Friday night, police say.

The 41-year-old woman lost control about 2km down the road, smashed into a letter box and ploughed through about 50m of roadside bush.

The car was in the air as it plunged off the road.

Masterton traffic policing Sergeant Chris Megaw said the woman was shaken but uninjured.

Her dog, which was travelling with her, was unhurt.

It was unclear what had caused the woman to lose control on the corner but the car had travelled a "fair old distance".

No other vehicles were involved in the crash.

One Norfolk Rd resident, who did not wish to be named, said the crash, which happened at about 5pm, "was bloody loud" and she would like to see the 100km/h speed limit lowered.

"It sounded like an explosion - it was deafening. I knew something had happened, and my daughter came running. I'm just glad she's okay."