Woman 'thrown 18m in air' after being hit by car

A woman was reportedly thrown 18m in the air after being hit by a car yesterday.

Sergeant Steve Ereckson said the 34-year-old from Christchurch was airlifted by helicopter to Dunedin Hospital to be treated for leg and pelvic injuries, the Southland Times reported today.

The accident happened on Goodger Flat, in Central Otago shortly before noon.

"She could have been killed after she was hit from behind by a car. She didn't know what was coming," Mr Ereckson said.

The woman had been driving north to Christchurch with a passenger, when her car slid on ice causing her to pull over to the side of the road.

Two American tourists stopped and pulled over in front of her car to help, Mr Ereckson said.

When the woman approached the rental car, a third car rounded the corner, sliding on the same patch of ice, he said.

The Toyota RAV hit the woman, throwing her 18m in the air, and crashed into the car parked in front.

Mr Ereckson said the woman landed on the side of the road.

- NZPA