The woman driver of a car which crossed the centreline of State Highway 1 just south of Timaru and hit an oncoming vehicle late this afternoon is in a coma in critical condition, police said.
The woman's car, heading southbound, crashed head-on into a four-wheel drive about 5.15pm.
Passengers in both vehicles suffered minor to moderate injuries.
The road was closed for some time while rescuers cut an elderly woman from the 4WD.
