Waikato Police investigating a serious crash in the Coromandel yesterday that left five people injured say the moderate speed and modern age of the vehicles involved preventing more serious harm.
District Prevention Manager, Inspector Rob Lindsay, said the crash, which happened on Purangi Rd in Cooks Beach about 12.20pm involved two cars, a rented 2012 XR6 model Ford Falcon and a 2002 318 model BMW.
"The crash is still under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit however initial indications on what has occurred is that the overseas visitor driving the rented Ford became disorientated and performed a U-turn, heading back the way he came on the wrong side of the road.
"The Ford has then collided with the oncoming BMW. Fortunately the speeds of the cars involved were well below the posted 100km/h speed limit meaning the occupants of both cars stood a greater chance of surviving the crash."
Mr Lindsay said with both cars being relatively late model vehicles, both were equipped with multiple air bags which inflated on impact.
"Both cars also suffered significant engine bay crumpling but the passenger compartments of both withstood this damage.
"There's no doubt the modern design features and safety devices contained in both cars contributed significantly to the occupants surviving the impact."
The driver of Ford Falcon escaped significant injury and was treated at the scene while a woman believed to be aged in her sixties travelling as a front seat passenger in his car suffered a broken pelvis and internal injuries and was airlifted to Auckland Hospital.
Two 19-year-old women from the BMW were flown to Waikato Hospital by air ambulance where they are in a stable condition in a ward while a 19-year-old male from the same car was taken to Thames Hospital by ambulance after the crash and has since been discharged
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