Woman in suspected drink-drive crash dies

A woman critically injured in a suspected drink-drive crash near Otaki yesterday (Saturday, 30 October) has sadly died overnight.

69-year-old Shelagh Cotter, from Te Horo, was sitting in the driver's seat of her Honda car on a grass verge with the door open, when the car was hit from behind by a Subaru. Mrs Cotter was airlifted to Palmerston North Hospital but died from her injuries. Her 62-year-old friend, who had been sitting on the grass verge, remains in a serious but stable condition in Palmerston North Hospital. The pair had visited a local garden event and were preparing to have a cup of coffee when the crash happened.

The 37-year-old driver of the Subaru, from Lower Hutt, has been processed for drink driving and is scheduled to appear in court on 25 November. More charges are likely to follow.

An investigation into the crash is being carried out by local police and the Serious Crash Investigation Unit.

Anyone who has any information about the crash which happened around 11.40am on Old Hautere Road, between Otaki and Te Horo, is asked to contact Otaki Police on 06 364 7366.