A West Coast woman severely hurt when her vehicle collided with a train near Inangahua, east of Westport, yesterday suffered neck, back and brain injuries, St John Ambulance says.
The woman, who is in her mid-50s, had surgery at Christchurch Hospital last night.
She was the sole occupant of a utility vehicle which collided with a coal train at a level crossing on Swamp Creek Rd about 1.30pm.
St John Buller territorial manager Robbie Blankenstein said the woman was fortunate that additional specialist St John staff, including two intensive care paramedics, were in the rural area at the time.
They gave her advanced care in a nearby paddock before the helicopter arrived and one of them accompanied her in it to Christchurch, Mr Blankenstein said.
