Pāpāmoa woman reveals 60-year impact of fatal drunk-driving crash

90-year-old Barbara Wilson survived a crash in 1960 but lost her husband Harold Vosper. Photo / George Novak

It's been 60 years but Barbara Wilson remembers hurtling through the windscreen of her car like it was yesterday.

The horrific head-on collision in Putāruru on August 14, 1960, claimed the life of her husband, Harold Vosper, as well as the drunk driver of the oncoming vehicle, who had been drinking.

Paramedics found Wilson on the road near the crash scene with terrible injuries.

Now, the 90-year-old Pāpāmoa woman is sharing her life-changing story to help other crash survivors.

"I remember going to Waikato Hospital by ambulance. I was crying out 'Where is my husband?' and they said he was following in an ambulance behind.

"But he wasn't, he was killed outright," said Wilson.

Wilson and her husband had been travelling home to Hinuera in the Waikato from a farewell function when they and the drunk driver travelling on the wrong side of the road collided.

A lesson Wilson learned from the crash was that life was for living. Photo / George Novak

"I can remember every detail of it; the headlights coming towards us, the almighty bang I heard followed by a horrible sensation," Wilson said in a book she wrote about the tragic event.

She spent four weeks in hospital with an injured back, two broken arms, gashes on her face and cut tendons on both hands.

"In hospital, I had lost such a quantity of blood they thought I was going to die. A young doctor on duty operated straight away on my injuries and gave me a blood transfusion which saved my life.

"I lost the use of my hands and had stitches on my face. They told me I would have ongoing problems with my back as well."

The day after the crash Wilson was told Harold had died instantly.

"All of a sudden you wake up with no husband, and you have to cope with life."

Vosper was a farmer and successful athlete when he first met Wilson in 1946. The young couple married in Cambridge four years later in October 1950.

"Harold was just delightful. He was just a really great guy."

Wilson said in the first couple of weeks after the crash she "didn't want to exist".

"I was 29 at the time, and I had three kids at home to look after. They were nine, seven and five."

Her perspective shifted after she saw her children Frank, Richard and Kaye for the first time after the crash.

"As soon as I saw those kids, I realised God spared me to look after them."

The biggest lesson she learned from the crash was that life was for living.

"You have got to get on with it, whether you like it or not.

"It's not easy, but you have got to have a very, very positive attitude. That is what is most important."

A long-lasting impact of the fatal crash was that Wilson stopped trusting others to drive.

News reports of crashes also still bring memories flooding back.

"Every time I read about a story that is similar to mine, I have to go through it all again."

New marriage, new business

Wilson remarried two years after the crash. Her second husband, Peter Wilson, was a friend of the family and their stock buyer.

On their honeymoon in the South Island, Wilson discovered the healing practice of spinning wool.

She initially used spinning wool as a form of physiotherapy for her injured hand, and then developed a love of hand-weaving.

She went on to create a successful business of handwoven fabrics and became a promoter for New Zealand wool and fashion.

"It was important to keep active and organised – otherwise I would have become a blimmin vegetable."

Reflecting on Vosper's death, Wilson said he shouldn't have died as young as he did.

"He was only 32. He was too young to go. But that's what happens with these drunk drivers, so get off the road."

Road safety charity Brake NZ said trauma caused by alcohol-related fatal and serious crashes could last for many years.

"Serious and fatal crashes can result in ongoing physical issues for crash survivors, along with emotional effects," said director Caroline Perry.

Drink-driving crashes were often particularly devastating for crash survivors and family members, she said.

"What can make drink driving crashes particularly devastating is the fact that a driver has chosen to get behind the wheel after drinking and has put their own life and other lives at risk."

She said a significant proportion of crashes involving alcohol also involve speed, which is a "deadly combination".

Western Bay of Plenty Senior Sergeant Matthew Moorehead. Photo / Supplied

Western Bay of Plenty senior sergeant Matthew Moorehead, acting manager of road policing, said their message to people who were considering getting behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol was simple.

"If you're going to drive, don't drink."

He said the impact of serious crashes involving alcohol could be devastating – for both loved ones and emergency service staff.

"Our staff turn up to horrible scenes we would hope no one would ever need to see. We also have the unenviable role of informing family members their loved one has been seriously injured or killed."

Factbox:
Alcohol and drugs were a factor in around a third of all fatal and serious crashes, said Western Bay of Plenty senior sergeant Matthew Moorehead.

Figures from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi show The number of alcohol-related fatal and serious crashes in the Western Bay of Plenty between February 1, 2020, and February 28 2021 was seven.

These crashes resulted in three deaths and 10 serious injuries.

During this time period, there were 321 crashes in the Western Bay of Plenty in total.

Of those, 10 were fatal, 25 were serious, 129 minor and the rest non-injury.