Police say those on the scene saved crash driver's life

Waikato investigating a single vehicle crash on a remote Coromandel road say the driver has a lot to thank locals for in regards to his surviving the crash.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Freda Grace, said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash in a stream down a bank off the Tapu-Coroglen Rd about 4.20pm on Tuesday.

"The crash involved a 23-year-old man suffering serious to critical injuries after his eastbound people-mover vehicle left the road and dropped about 5m down a bank coming to rest in a stream.

"People who came across the crash were assisted by local residents in rendering life saving first aid before ambulance staff arrived and once the man was freed from the wreckage the man was airlifted to Auckland Hospital by helicopter."

Mrs Grace said when crashes such as yesterdays occur in rural locations some distance away from responding emergency services the actions of those first on the scene can often make all the difference.

"In this case it appears the injured driver has a lot to be grateful for and the actions by the various people involved are worthy of recognition."

ENDS

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