LEAD STORY: Mum relives crash death horror

The nightmare of losing her daughter in a car crash returned for a Hastings woman who found herself being rammed towards an oncoming train by a drink-driver - not far from the spot her daughter was killed.
The woman's harrowing experience was read by Judge Bridget Mackintosh in the Hastings District Court yesterday as part of a victim impact statement.
She said the woman's daughter died in a crash at an intersection in the Whakatu area several years ago - and "in the same area".
The woman's brief statement was read out during the appearance of 48-year-old Hastings man Warren Beattie who the court was told had repeatedly rammed the woman's car at a rail crossing on Ruahapia Road, Whakatu, in the late afternoon on July 25.
The court was told how Beattie had failed to see the lowering railway barrier arms as a train was approaching.
The woman driving ahead of him had seen the barriers descending and slowed her car to a stop.
Her car was then jolted by the impact of Beattie driving his car into it.
The woman said she put her foot firmly on the brake to stop being pushed further towards the rail tracks - but the danger was far from over.
The court was told Beattie then reversed before again driving forward and again ramming into the back of the terrified woman's car.
Police, who were called to the scene, processed Beattie for drink-driving and found he was more than three times over the legal limit.
A blood sample revealed a reading of 253mcgs of alcohol per litre of blood.
The legal limit is 80mcgs of alcohol per litre of blood. Beattie was convicted and fined $1500, ordered to pay $500 emotional harm reparation and disqualified from driving for 15 months.