A woman is in serious condition following a collision between a BMW and a cow on State Highway 1 north of Waikuku in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency services from Woodend and Rangiora responded to the scene around 1.30am.
The cow, which was part of a herd of loose cattle, was severely injured in the crash and had to be put down at the scene by a police officer using a rifle. The woman, who had managed to get out of the vehicle on her own, was found lying in the grass nearby and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
At the same time or shortly after, another car struck one of the same loose cows at the Tulls Road and SH1 intersection. The driver of that vehicle sustained injuries, though their condition is currently unknown. Police are investigating the incidents and how the cattle came to be on the road.
