Hayden Allen is used to flying down the basketball court scoring baskets, but this month he found himself flying through a car window as it smashed into a barrier on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The Waikato Pistons' player is a mess of injuries - including a gash on his headthat needed more than 100 stitches.
He said his appearance was so shocking he was reluctant to let some relatives see him.
But, at 31, he had learned a hard lesson and it was one he wanted to pass on to anybody who would listen: Buckle up.
"It was life-changing," he said. "It really was a huge mistake - not putting my seatbelt on is a huge regret."
The 187cm, 90kg shooting guard had been out for a night on the town and was heading home in a Subaru station wagon. His three mates were belted in and suffered only whiplash and sore shoulders.
Allen was flung through the left rear window from his seat behind the driver and came to rest 60m from the car.
Police are investigating and said the driver had tried to escape by jumping into the harbour.
