A mother of five who died in a single vehicle crash in Christchurch has been described as a “young, beautiful, and wonderful mother.”

Emergency services were called to Grahams Road, between Cranbrook and Wayside avenues in Burnside, about 10.50pm.

The woman, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to hospital where she later died, police said.

The homeowner told Chris Lynch Media he was asleep in bed when he was woken by an “almighty crash.”

He said the woman was still able to speak to him from inside the vehicle, which had come to rest on its side.

A cousin who visited the scene told him the woman was a mother of five children.

A family member told Chris Lynch Media they were still coming to terms with what had happened and had only just told her children on Tuesday morning.

Another family member paid tribute to the woman, describing her as a “young, beautiful, and wonderful mother.”

The homeowner said he felt lucky to be alive, after a 40 year old tree in his front yard diverted the impact away from the house and into the garden.

The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene and enquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.