Two injured after Otaki crash

A woman in her 60s was flown to Palmerston North Hospital today in a critical condition after an alleged drunk-driver ploughed into her car while she and a friend had stopped by the side of the road for a coffee, say police.

The two women, who had been visiting local gardens, had parked their car completely on the grass verge on a rural road just south of Otaki about 11.40am and were preparing their coffee when a Subaru stationwagon came around a bend and lost control, said central police spokeswoman Kim Perks.

The Subaru crashed into the rear of the parked car, throwing the 69-year-old woman, who had been sitting in the driver's seat with her feet outside, over a fence and into a paddock. She was flown by helicopter to Palmerston North Hospital.

Her 62-year-old companion had been sitting on the grass and also suffered injuries. She was taken by ambulance to hospital, where she is in a serious condition.

The 37-year-old Lower Hutt man driving the Subaru, suffered minor injuries.

"Despite being 11.30 in the morning he was processed for being three times over the legal drink-drive limit and will appear in court in November," Ms Perks said.

Witnesses of the crash were urged to call Otaki police.

- NZPA