Rally driver helps save life of crash victim

An Australian rally driver is being credited with saving the life of kiwi Stuart Scoular, after an horrific crash at the Targa Rotorua rally.

Mr Scoular has had his right leg amputated below the knee after his car left the road and hit the exposed edge of a concrete abutment yesterday. Both men had to be cut from the car.

His co-driver and brother Bret, was also taken to hospital but was released this morning.

Family spokesman Richard Scoular is acknowledging the first-response work done by fellow competitors.

He says Tony Quinn and Naomi Tillett were the first to stop, and Tillett played a key role in stabilising the badly injured driver until medics arrived.

MotorSport New Zealand spokesman Brian Budd says race protocol is that following competitors need to stop and render assistance after a serious accident.

He says Australian driver Naomi Tillett is a trained nurse and responded instantly by getting into the car with Mr Scoular.

"She applied to a tourniquet to his leg to stop it bleeding, and she sat in the car with him for almost an hour," he says.

Brian Budd says Mr Scoular is now conscious and talking to family, and is likely to be transferred to a ward later today.

MotorSport New Zealand is investigating the accident. President Shayne Harris they have robust rules and regulations for their competition to ensure competitors, event organisers and members of the public are kept safe.

Photo: NZ Herald