Elderly woman trapped as car comes flying in her home

An elderly woman was trapped in her bedroom after a speeding car became airborne and crashed into her lounge early today.

The crash, at an intersection in Gisborne, happened about 12.30am, police said.

The woman was taken to hospital but was later discharged and is now staying with relatives.

A neighbour, who watched the accident from his front lawn, estimated the car was travelling at 120km/h before hitting a traffic island at the intersection and becoming airborne.

"He did not even try to turn the corner. Just went straight into the house.''

He said police were right behind the vehicle.

The car went through a small garden before hitting the house about 20m away.

Another neighbour who rushed over to the scene said the woman, who had been asleep, was "very shaken''.

"If she had been sitting in her lounge watching television she would be gone now,'' she said.

"We could not get her out, there was bricks and other stuff from the house piled up against the door.

"She was getting really stressed out. We tried to get her out the window but couldn't. The police moved some of the stuff against the door and got her out.''

The driver had been charged with an number of offences including drink driving.

A police spokesman said the car was not being pursued by police and the car crashed shortly after passing a police vehicle.

- GISBORNE HERALD