Injured officer's family to keep vigil by her bedside

Scenes from the horror crash. Photo / APN

A policewoman seriously injured in a head-on crash last week will see in the New Year in hospital with her family at her bedside.

Deirdre Lack, a senior sergeant at Te Puke, in the Bay of Plenty, is in a serious but stable condition in intensive care after the December 22 crash.

"It's slow progress, which we expected - it was a horrific accident," said her mother, Robyn Lack.

"We take each day as it comes."

The accident happened about 5am as Ms Lack, who was off duty, drove out for an early-morning swim.

About halfway between Te Puke and Papamoa on SH2 her car and an oncoming car collided.

The other driver was 20-year-old Daniel Longney, who celebrated his birthday on Boxing Day in hospital.

He suffered two broken legs and internal bleeding.

The two were trapped in their cars for 30 minutes before emergency services arrived and got them out.

Ms Lack suffered a cracked pelvis and broken limbs and is expected to have more surgery in the coming days.

Her mother said Ms Lack had shown her usual determination and positive attitude while in critical care.

"I think she's going to get through this. It's just a matter of time."

Hundreds of well-wishers from throughout New Zealand have flooded her with support, including many from the Te Puke community and police.

Ms Lack is a keen triathlon competitor and regularly trained for races. She had a rocky few days in hospital before she was able to speak.

Her first words since the accident were on Christmas Day, her mother said.

"She wished us merry Christmas.

"It was the best Christmas present. We had quite a nice afternoon."

It had felt like weeks waiting to hear her daughter speak again.

Robyn Lack lives in Rotorua and has been commuting to Tauranga Hospital every day to see her 40-year-old daughter recover.

She and her husband would be there to see in the New Year with their daughter.

"We will be both beside her. We're a very, very close family."

Inspector Mike Clement, the Western Bay of Plenty area commander, said a senior police officer from outside the region would investigate the crash.