A crash on Friday night that left two young men fighting for their lives in hospital has led to Waikato Police reissuing warnings about the dangers of not wearing seatbelts.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said 11 people died in crashes on Waikato roads while not wearing seatbelts last year and so far two people had died while unrestrained in crashes this year.
"This crash happened on a rail overbridge in Te Awamutu near the Rewi St/ Station Rd intersection about 8.40pm.
"The Serious Crash Unit is currently investigating what happened but it appears none of the three occupants of the car were wearing seatbelts and the team are working to determine what, if any, factor speed and alcohol played in events."
Mr Tooman said Police believed it was touch and go that they weren't adding at least three more to the grisly toll of unrestrained road user deaths.
"Especially when you consider the way the bridge rail impacted into the victims car, the width of the vehicle was reduced to 12-14 inches, it was a really, really close run thing and something we're seeing too much of on our roads."
Firefighters worked for half an hour to free the trapped occupants with the 18-year-old driver and 23-year-old front seat passenger being taken to Waikato Hospital in critical condition with head, leg and abdominal injuries.
A third passenger suffered minor to moderate injuries.
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