Crane arm injures two in Carterton | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A crane arm protruding from a truck struck two parked cars in Carterton yesterday, injuring two women inside one of the vehicles.

The women were taken to Wairarapa Hospital for observation after the stabilising arm, part of an HIAB crane, came loose and crashed into one car, which careered into another parked vehicle.

The crane was being carried on an articulated truck travelling north on State Highway 2. The incident happened at the intersection with Pembroke St, just after 12.30pm.

The two women were sitting in one of the parked cars, while the other was empty. One woman complained of whiplash-type injuries.

Carterton Fire Chief Wayne Robinson said the incident happened outside the fire station and two crews were quickly at the scene.

The crash shunted one of the cars towards nearby shops and the other out on to the roadway.

Fire fighters administered first aid to the woman with neck injuries and gave her oxygen until an ambulance arrived.

Mr Robinson said the driver of the truck must have quickly realised what had happened and travelled only a few metres before coming to a stop.

Had the stabilising arm hit a cyclist or a pedestrian, it could have had far more serious consequences, he said.

A section of High St was blocked off for 20-30 minutes with traffic diverted. Police are interviewing the driver.