While the cause of a crash that left a man fighting for his life is still under investigation, Waikato Police have no doubts that a child's car seat provided by a car rental company saved the life of a young Australian tourist.
District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Marcus Lynam, said Thursday's crash, that happened on SH23 near Raglan involved three vehicles and initial indications were that it was caused when a maroon SUV crossed the centreline and clipped an oncoming eastbound car before colliding with an oncoming 4x4 utility about 4.40pm.
"The female driver of the rented maroon SUV and her 10-year-old daughter were taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance and treated for minor injuries before being released however the woman's husband was flown by helicopter to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition while her three year-old son also required hospital treatment and was also flown out aboard the same helicopter.
"The 49-year-old Sydney man, who was travelling as a front seat passenger in the SUV, is now in a stable condition in a ward in Waikato Hospital but the truly remarkable thing is that, thanks to the boy being secured in an approved child car restraint, the three year-old was able to be released from hospital after four-days."
Mr Carpenter said that when Serious Crash Investigators reviewed the damage to the family's vehicle and the position and type of injuries suffered they felt it was important to highlight the value of properly installed and approved child car restraints.
"If you look at the images there can be no doubt in anyone's mind, that car seat saved the little boy's life."
"Another important point we would like to make is in acknowledging the efforts of two men, one of who was driving one of the cars involved in the collision, who despite the risks from sparks from a live electric fence that was giving them shocks when there was leaking fuel about, went to the aid of the injured."
Mr Lynam said these two men's actions were selfless and truly commendable.
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