'I tried to swerve ... it was too late' - Devastated partner tells of fatal crash

Nick Horwood and Justine Andersen: the couple had plans to get married.

The devastated partner of a woman killed when their vehicle crashed head-on with oncoming traffic has tearfully described the moment he tried to swerve to avoid the crash.

Nick Horwood and his partner of seven years, Justine Andersen, were travelling from Cambridge, where they had been visiting her mother, Annette Andersen, to their home in Tauranga when the crash occurred.

Just 20 minutes into their journey, at 6pm on Saturday, Mr Horwood's vehicle and another collided when one apparently crossed the centre line on State Highway 1 just south of Hydro Rd.

The three occupants of the other vehicle - who included a child and a pregnant woman - were taken to hospital.

Mr Horwood was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

He was released yesterday with "bumps and cuts and scratches" but largely unhurt.

He said Ms Andersen had taken "the full impact" of the collision and died at the scene.

"I tried to swerve to miss it, but it was too late," Mr Horwood said.

Ms Andersen, 24, a former Cambridge High School student, had moved to Tauranga for "a different lifestyle" shortly after finishing her schooling, and met Mr Horwood.

The two formed a strong bond and had been inseparable since.

Ms Andersen worked at the Arohanui Art and Education Trust, caring for patients with disabilities.

"She loved her job [and] looking after people and she [loved] caring for them," Mr Horwood said.

A rescue helicopter at the scene of a fatal crash. Photo / Supplied

Mr Horwood and Ms Andersen shared a love of cars and spent many hours fixing them together.

"She was into cars as well, so she would come with me to car events in Hampton Downs, to watch me," Mr Horwood said.

"She would come with me to get car parts and stuff to build my one up. She would know quite a bit [about the mechanics of cars]."

The couple had also been working together to paint their house and get it ready for the New Year.

Mr Horwood, also 24, said he and Ms Andersen had plans to get married in the coming years.

"[Justine] just cared for me so much and looked after me very well. You will probably never find another person like that again," he said.

Mr Horwood's mother, Caroline Horwood, said Ms Andersen was "like a daughter to me".

"She was a very loving and caring person. We loved her very much.

"She just fitted into our family like she was meant to be there."

Tributes have been pouring in on social media for Ms Andersen.

On the victim's Facebook page, Amber Hardacker wrote of her devastation at the 24-year-old's passing.

"Life is so unfair. I am devastated that you have been taken this way, Justine.

"You were such a kind-hearted and nurturing person who always looked out for others around you.

"I am grateful to have known you the short time that I did, my heart truly hurts today.

"You will be so missed. Much love," the post read.

Another user wrote: "My condolences to both families. Justine was a lovely part of our family many years ago. You will always be remembered."

Ms Andersen's funeral is expected to be held later this week.