A 17-year-old Dannevirke girl is in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit in critical condition after a fatal single-car crash early on Sunday morning.
The front-seat passenger in the vehicle, travelling between Dannevirke and Palmerston North, 21-year-old Andrea Kimberley Pramm, of Bulls, died at the scene.
The injured woman was ejected from the
vehicle by the force of the impact.
It appeared the driver of the small saloon, a 21-year-old Dannevirke man, lost control of the car on a sweeping right-hand bend and crashed into a bridge at the intersection of SH2 and Martin Road in Papatawa, 19 km south-west of Dannevirke at 12.15am.
Pahiatua police believed that speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash. They were speaking to the driver and charges were likely.
Police would not go into any detail about the injuries suffered by the 17-year-old except to confirm they were ``serious''.
The male driver received minor injuries.
The road condition was not being considered as a contributing factor.
Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade Chief Mike Finucane said two fire crews were used to help cut people out of the wreckage and first aid was administered at the scene.
``It wasn't a pleasant experience for any of the crews but it's part of what we do,'' Mr Finucane said. ``It's a sad occasion for those involved.''
Dannevirke High School said the injured girl was not a student at the school.
