A German tourist sustained serious injuries when the car she was driving collided with a van south of Nelson this afternoon.
The 73-year-old woman was airlifted by the Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter to Nelson Hospital following the head-on crash on Korere-Tophouse Rd, south of Nelson about 1.10pm.
Two passengers from the van, a man and woman both aged 25, suffered moderate injuries and were also airlifted to hospital.
Meanwhile, police say a car seat provided by a rental company saved the life of a 3-year-old Australian tourist involved in a crash in Waikato.
The accident, which happened last Thursday on State Highway 23 near Raglan, also left a 49-year-old Australian man fighting for his life.
"The 49-year-old Sydney man, who was travelling as a front seat passenger in the SUV, is now in a stable condition in a ward in Waikato Hospital but the truly remarkable thing is that, thanks to the boy being secured in an approved child car restraint, the 3-year-old was able to be released from hospital after four days," Inspector Marcus Lynam said.
When serious crash investigators reviewed the damage to the vehicle, they wanted to highlight the importance of properly installed car restraints for children.
"If you look at the images, there can be no doubt in anyone's mind, that car seat saved the little boy's life," said Mr Lynam.
