A baby survived a serious crash in North Otago that critically injured her mother because she was safe and sound in a proper child restraint, police say.
The seven-month-old girl suffered only a minor injury when her parents' car went out of control and rolled on State Highway 1 near Palmerston around 7.35pm on Saturday, Oamaru Sergeant Wayne Brew said.
"This is credited to the correct fitting of a quality child restraint," he said.
Her 29-year-old mother, who was driving the car, suffered a serious head injury and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition, Sgt Brew said.
The other passenger suffered a moderate head injury and was taken to hospital by ambulance along with the baby.
Sgt Brew said it appeared the driver lost control going around a bend, rolling the vehicle on the side of the road.
The Dunedin Serious Crash Unit would investigate the scene today, he said.
NZN