"The 49-year-old Sydney man, who was travelling as a front seat passenger in the SUV, is now in a stable condition in a ward in Waikato Hospital, but the truly remarkable thing is that, thanks to the boy being secured in an approved child car restraint, the three-year-old was able to be released from hospital after four days,'' said Mr Lynam.
When Serious Crash Investigators reviewed the damage to the vehicle, they wanted to highlight the importance of properly installed car restraints for children.
"If you look at the images, there can be no doubt in anyone's mind, that car seat saved the little boy's life,'' said Mr Lynam.
Waikato police also wanted to acknowledge the efforts of two men, one who had been driving one of the cars, who helped the injured despite risks from a live electric fence and leaking fuel.
