At around 9:30am yesterday, Police were called to a crash where a single vehicle had driven off the side of a bank on Waikowhai Street in Ngaio, Wellington.
The female driver of the vehicle had driven off the road and the car had fallen approximately 10-15 metres down a bank and only coming to a stop after hitting several trees on the way down.
As a result the vehicles airbags were deployed and the driver suffered no injuries, thanks to wearing her seatbelt. Her two-and-a half-week old baby boy was safely secured in the back seat in his baby-capsule that had been checked/fitted by Plunket, so was also unharmed.
Police definitely think the seat belt and the properly-fitted baby capsule is what saved both mum and baby from serious injury.
Constable Wendy Bryant from Wellington Police says “The mum was actually driving back to Johnsonville Plunket at the time to get the baby capsule re-checked as the baby was now a couple of weeks old to make sure everything was all right when the crash happened. Obviously it was properly installed as it possibly saved baby’s life.”
A witness following in another car called 111 and emergency services attended immediately. Police had to get a specialised tow-truck brought out to the scene with a long enough winch rope to drag the car back up to the road.
“Mum was understandably shaken but although both her and her son have suffered no injuries they were taken to hospital to be checked out anyway, Constable Bryant said.”
Ends
Media release issued by Jillian Reid, Public Affairs, PNHQ
