Witness appeal following fatal crash

Police investigating a fatal road crash on State Highway Two, Papatawa want to speak to anyone who saw the vehicle in the lead up to the crash.

The green Toyota Corolla crashed into the side barriers of a rail over-bridge at Papatawa around quarter past midnight yesterday (Sunday, 6 December), as it travelled between Dannevirke and Palmerston North.

Front seat passenger, 21-year-old Andrea Pramm from Bulls was killed in the crash. The 17-year-old female from Dannevirke, who was the rear seat passenger, remains in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital. The 21-year-old male driver from Dannevirke suffered minor injuries. Alcohol and speed are possible factors in the crash which is now under investigation.

A number of people who witnessed the crash are assisting police with details of what they saw, but police are also keen to speak to anyone who saw the vehicle in the lead up to the crash and have information about the manner of its driving.

Constable Donna Olliver said: "The impact of the crash meant that personal items and wreckage were strewn across the road and emergency services were working on the casualties so it was a pretty chaotic and traumatic scene. There were witnesses at the scene who were clearly shaken up and we have made contact with Victim Support to help those witnesses."

Anyone with information that will assist the investigation is asked to contact Pahiatua Police on 06 376 0130.