Survivor so grateful to Kiwi public

THANK YOU: German tourist Patrick Tewes wants to publicly thank those who helped him recover from a horrific car crash in Hunterville that claimed the life of his partner, Anett Duerichen, 31. Photo: FAITH SUTHERLAND/FAIRFAX NZ

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A horrific car crash claimed the life of his partner and left him wondering whether he will walk again, but German traveller Patrick Tewes says the support he received from across New Zealand has helped him put back together the pieces of his life.

Now, he would like to publicly thank those involved in his rescue and care, as well as the friends he made in his travels who supported him in hospital.

"The people of New Zealand, their support and their help has just been amazing. I don't want to say people in Germany are heartless, but it is different here – it has blown me away."

From his bed at Palmerston North Hospital, Mr Tewes, 23, spoke to the Manawatu Standard of his struggle since the January 3 crash.

Mr Tewes and his girlfriend, Anett Duerichen, 31, were involved in a head-on collision when a ute and the van they were travelling in crashed on State Highway 1 about 10 kilometres north of Hunterville.

The pair were here on an eight-month working visa, and had just begun a final tour of New Zealand.

Mr Tewes said he remembered every moment of the crash, but did not want to talk about it or about Ms Duerichen because it was still too painful.

He expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses, as well as police and ambulance crew who attended the crash.

He also said the generosity and compassion shown to him by people he and Ms Duerichen met throughout their travels was "just totally amazing".

Mr Tewes said a woman the pair met last year travelled from the South Island to visit him in hospital.

"It is a beautiful country and the people in it are so friendly. It's a completely different mentality here ... they have a bigger heart and it's like they really feel sorry about what has happened."

Mr Tewes was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by rescue helicopter. He had severe leg injuries and said there was concern over whether he would be able to keep his left leg.

"Now I don't know whether I will be able to walk again, but hopefully one day when the time is right, I'll be able to get up, and the doctors and nurses here were wonderful in saving my leg," he said.

Mr Tewes will be flying back to his home town of Rostock, near Hamburg, probably this week. A full team of doctors and nurses will have to accompany him.

"I am looking forward to seeing my family again, but it will be harder when I'm back home and thinking of the things we all used to do, and I can't now. I'm thinking it will be quite lonely."

- © Fairfax NZ News