Wairarapa teen critical after car rolls

A 16-year-old is in critical condition in hospital after a car left the road and rolled down a bank on Christmas morning.

A 17-year-old received moderate injuries in the crash on a rural road south of Carterton at 5.30am.

Masterton police Sergeant Mia Wilton said the vehicle had left the road after failing to negotiate a right-hand bend at the top of a rise on Waihakeke Rd.

The Mitsubishi Lancer had travelled down a bank and into a paddock, rolling several times before coming to rest. The two youths were both from Martinborough.

The police serious crash unit were investigating, and it was too early to tell whether alcohol or speed were factors.

Wellington Free Ambulance spokesman Chris Matthews said a 111 call, believed to have come from a local farmer, was received around 5.30am. Emergency services found one youth inside the vehicle and another walking around.

The 16-year-old was freed from the car and taken to Wellington Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a critical condition.

The other was taken to Wairarapa Hospital in Masterton by ambulance, where he was treated for moderate injuries.

A fire service spokesman said Carterton volunteer fire brigade assisted ambulance and police but were not needed to cut the teenagers from the car.