Tanker crash victim fights for life

Sergeant Chris Megaw, left, and constable Dana Johanson survey the wreckage of the 2005 Mitsubishi Airtrek involved in a collision with a milk tanker on SH2 on Monday. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Police are urging drivers to buy newer, safer cars in the wake of a high-speed collision that left a Masterton woman fighting for her life.

Kathleen Hoar, 65, remains in a serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Wellington Hospital after the car she was driving collided head-on with a milk tanker on Monday, and police say one of the reasons she survived the initial crash was the modern safety features of her vehicle.

Mrs Hoar's northbound car was extensively damaged during the crash, with one witnesses describing it as being "ripped in half".

Traffic Sergeant Chris Megaw said the way the 2005 Mitsubishi Airtrek 4-wheel drive station wagon was designed to crumple on impact had helped protect her during the crash.

"It's designed to crumple into a better area -- the steering wheel is designed to crumple and move out of the way. There's actually quite a lot of room where her feet were as opposed to the other side. The left-hand side absorbed all the energy."

It was also lucky the car's passenger side had borne the brunt of the collision, he said.

"All that huge amount of energy has been diverted down that side away from her... it would be fair to say that the amount of damage is disproportionate to the fact that she's is still alive."

The car was equipped with ABS brakes and airbags, all of which had helped to improve the "survivability" at the scene, Mr Megaw said.

"It's a really modern vehicle and the message is to try and get the most modern vehicle you can, especially if you're buying for kids."

People should try to buy the best car they could afford, he added.

When he arrived at the scene on Monday, he had been expecting the worst, Mr Megaw said.

"With that degree of damage and for someone to survive to this stage is extraordinary."

"This is as bad as it gets."

It was too soon to say what had caused Mrs Hoar's car to cross the centreline, Mr Megaw said, although it was possible fatigue had been an issue.

"Fatigue sneaks up on you really quickly and drivers should just take a break."

Mr Megaw said he wanted to thank all of the 60 or so people who had helped at the crash, from the firefighters who cut Mrs Hoar free from her car, to the witnesses and helicopter staff.

"A lot of people were directly involved, not counting the medical personnel and that doesn't include all the next of kin... so many people were involved."