The drivers flown to Dunedin Hospital after their head-on collision in the Kawarau Gorge on Wednesday remained in stable condition last night, police and the Southern District Health Board said.
Sergeant Simon Paget, of Cromwell, said yesterday police were investigating why a 53-year-old woman from Alexandra, driving a Toyota Corolla, apparently crossed the centre line and hit a Subaru Outback, driven by a 40-year-old man from Christchurch, at 5.30pm.
The woman was cut from her car by firefighters. A blaze ignited in the engine of the wrecked Subaru, which was put out by passers-by, then by firefighters.
The woman suffered chest and abdominal injuries and the man suffered a broken leg, Sgt Paget said.
The incident was attended by Cromwell and Queenstown emergency services, the Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter and a Heliworks helicopter.
