Impaled driver fights for life

File photo / NZ Herald

A truck driver remained in intensive care in Palmerston North Hospital last night, a day after being impaled by a canoe that smashed through his windscreen.

A hospital spokesman described the 64-year-old from Waikanae as "critically ill".

The accident happened on State Highway 1 south of Levin when the canoe broke loose from a trailer and smashed through the windscreen of an oncoming truck, impaling the driver in his midriff.

The trailer was carrying boats from the Wellington Rowing Club.

Craig Lawson, the club captain, said: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the driver hurt in the accident, as well as his family and friends. We are working closely with police, investigators and insurers to ascertain ... exactly what happened."