THE chief pilot of the region's rescue helicopter service has described the escape by five people from a mangled wreck on Stockton's sand dunes as "exceptionally lucky."
The comment follows a two-vehicle, head-on collision on Sunday afternoon which left four people recovering in hospital.
A 24-year-old man from Lemon Tree Passage sustained chest injuries and at the time of publication was is in a stable condition at John Hunter Hospital.
Another, aged 17, was airlifted to hospital with cuts and abrasions, while a third and fourth, aged 26 and 17, were transported by ambulance.
A fifth was treated on the scene for minor injuries.
The 26 year old from Pelaw Main was discharged from hospital on Monday and has been issued with an infringement notice for negligent driving.
Helicopter pilot Michael De Winton said the sight of the wreckage left him amazed at how the occupants of the vehicles walked away alive.