Woman killed as car smashes through barrier and plummets into river

Police believe the car failed to negotiate a bend before the bridge. Photo/Stuart Munro

A "very hard-working and very popular" Hunterville wool handler, Keryn Swainson, who plunged to her death in the Turakina River, will be sorely missed, says her boss, Shane Ratima.

Miss Swainson, 20, died when her car plummeted about 20m into the river off Turakina Valley Rd, near Otairi Station, Hunterville, on Tuesday night.

She had finished work for the day, had been home and was "out and about" visiting friends in the district, said Mr Ratima, owner of Ratima Shearing.

Miss Swainson had worked on and off for the company for four years.

"She was very experienced, a level 3 wool handler, and had worked down the South Island over winter.

"We are all in total shock - our heartfelt condolences go out to her family."

Miss Swainson was the sole occupant of the vehicle when it crashed through the guard rail of a bridge and went into the river about 9pm.

Hunterville Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief firefighter Steve Monks said the car was submerged when firefighters arrived at the scene about 9.25pm. The police national dive squad was called in to recover Miss Swainson's body, and heavy-lift tow trucks were used to pull the vehicle from the water.

St John Wanganui territory manager John Stretton said it was a tragic thing to happen, especially "right before Christmas". Two ambulances had attended the crash, one from Taihape and one from Hunterville.

Police said a preliminary investigation showed the vehicle had failed to negotiate a right-hand bend before going through the guard rail.

No other cars were involved in the incident, which was also attended by Wanganui police.

Miss Swainson's death has been referred to the coroner.