An American woman critically hurt in a King Country car crash which killer her newlywed husband is out of intensive care.
Kirsten Steinke, 28, had been in intensive care since the September 20 crash at the Waitomo Caves turn-off on State Highway 3, between Otorohanga and Te Kuiti, which took the life of her new husband Kallan Stithem.
But she was reacting to the voice of her parents Jim and Gerri Steinke, who flew over from the United States, during the week and she has now improved enough to be transferred to the newly opened high dependency unit at Waikato Hospital.
"We would like to take this time to thank all the nurses, consultants, support staff, and registrars in the ICU for their tireless efforts in caring for Kirsten," the couple said.
"Daunting obstacles of staffing, coordination, and unexpected emergencies were overcome to speed Kirsten's healing."
They were especially grateful to surgeons who ensured jaw surgery for Ms Steinke was done before more serious problems developed.
She is now in a serious but stable condition.
Ms Steinke and Mr Stithem were on their honeymoon when the crash happened.
Police say the car they were travelling in failed to give way as it was leaving Waitomo Caves Road, turning right into the path of a northbound truck.
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