Driver lucky to survive spectacular smash

A Gisborne man is lucky to be alive after a spectacular car smash near the city late last night.

His Subaru sedan was ripped apart when it was hit by a truck and trailer unit carrying a full load of grapes at Waerenga-a-hika.

Police, fire and ambulance crews are amazed the man was not killed as his car was ripped in half and the sections ended up wedged under the front of the truck as it skidded 40 metres down the road before coming to a stop.

Firefighters say the driver's seat was the only part of the car still intact. The victim suffered multiple serious injuries and the truck driver was shocked but unhurt.

- NEWSTALK ZB