Emergency services say multiple airbags likely saved a 20-year-old woman from serious injury after her car flipped multiple times on a 100kmh road. PHOTO/MARY ARGUE
MARY ARGUE
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Airbags in a Suzuki Swift helped to save a young woman’s life after her car flipped multiple times on a 100kmh rural road on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services, including two fire engines, a police car, and an ambulance, responded to the single-vehicle crash on Millars Rd, Longbush, at about 8.40am.
The 20-year-old woman suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was taken to Wairarapa Hospital by Wellington Free Ambulance.
Her small red vehicle reportedly flipped four times over 200 metres before winding up in the water table on the side of the road.
The car had a crushed bonnet, a caved-in roof, shattered windows, and was missing a wheel.
Debris, including contents from inside the car, littered the road and the surrounding area.
Carterton Fire Brigade provided scene protection, closing the road for at least half an hour and cleaning debris from the road.
An officer said the Swift’s multiple airbags were deployed in the crash, which likely prevented the woman from suffering a more severe injury.
A Wellington Roading police officer said the wet road would have contributed to the crash.
Builders at a nearby site said they did not hear the crash but were compelled to investigate after multiple sirens went flying past.
It was unclear what had caused the crash on the straight section of road.