Speed and alcohol may have been factors in a crash on the outskirts of Hamilton this morning that has left a woman fighting for her life, police say.
The woman, who was not believed to have been wearing a seatbelt, thrown from a ute when it crashed and rolled about 100m at Templeview about 5.30am.
Waikato road policing manager Acting Inspector Jeff Penno said the woman, believed to be in her 20s, was sitting between the male driver and a male passenger when the vehicle failed to negotiate a bend.
"It appears the driver had been drinking and initial indications are that the woman, who was thrown clear of the vehicle as it rolled, was not restrained," he said.
She suffered critical injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital.
The driver suffered minor injuries and the other passenger was moderately injured.
Police were speaking to the driver.
"We would be looking at three of the fatal five factors coming into play - speed, booze and belts - and if this woman loses her life it would be a senseless waste of life,'' Mr Penno said.
