A man was cut from wreckage after a car and a van collided in Whanganui on Friday morning.
He and a woman have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
The crash happened near a major roundabout on Alma Rd at 10am.
Emergency services have closed part of the road.
Jack Agar, 18, who was painting at the back of a nearby property, was first on the scene.
"I heard a bang, it was really loud. I knew it was something serious and I ran out," he said.
"I saw an old lady in the car, I opened the door, turned the hazard lights on and asked if she was alright.
"Then I ran around to the side where the van was and he was in much worse shape. I called the cops and assured him that he would be alright."
Agar said the man's feet were crushed because the front of the van had been smashed in.
“You want a happy successful society and you have to contribute in your own small way.”
