A 17-year-old man is in Palmerston North hospital after a vehicle crash on State Highway 2, north of Eketahuna last night.
The crash occurred at around 8:30pm and was attended by Police, Fire, and Ambulance. Initial reports suggest the vehicle had drifted off the road and onto the grass verge before hitting a culvert and coming to rest on the grass verge.
A nearby farmer who heard the crash came out to investigate and found the vehicle on fire. The farmer was able to pull the unconscious driver from the burning vehicle before emergency services arrived.
Sergeant Glenn Ryan commended the actions of the farmer who put himself at risk and was able to save the driver from further harm “I want to specifically recognise the farmer’s quick thinking as I have absolutely no doubt his actions saved the drivers life. It was his risky and heroic actions that saved this driver from any further harm.”
Manawatu Police assisted by the Serious Crash Unit have launched an investigation and are working to determine further factors leading to the crash.
The man is in a stable condition.
ENDS
Issued by Amy Stewart-Badger, PNHQ Media Team.