Injured woman stuck in car for 11 hours after Taumarunui crash said 20 cars drove past

Emergency services had to use cutting equipment to free the woman from the car. Photo / Google Maps

An injured woman remained stuck in her crashed car for 11 hours in the freezing cold until she was finally discovered by builders heading to work.

Emergency services arrived at the scene of the crash on State Highway 41, Taumarunui, where the woman was found in a serious condition.

She been trapped in her car since crashing about 9pm yesterday.

Her car rolled near the highest point on the road and landed on its side, making it hard to see from the dark.

The woman told her rescuers 20 cars drove past her in the dark while she remained trapped. She had to be cut out using cutting equipment.

The women driver battled freezing conditions overnight until her car was eventually spotted by some builders from Taumarunui who were going to work, a statement from Greenlea Helicopters said.

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter arrived to pick the woman up and transport her to Waikato Hospital at 8am.