Pair scramble from sinking car

Two people have had a lucky escape after their car crashed off a road into a river in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Two people were able to escape through a window after the car crashed into Rangitaiki River.

The pair, understood to be a young man and woman, were able to get out of the sinking Subaru Forester and scramble to safety following the crash in Te Teko on Sunday morning.

It appeared the car had gone off Te Teko Rd, the main route between Te Teko and Edgecumbe, down a bank into the Rangitaikei River, near Kokohinau marae.

Bay of Plenty police communications adviser Kim Perks said police were yet to speak with the two occupants who had been taken by road ambulance to Whakatane Hospital with moderate injuries.

They seemed to be in a "bit of shock" but not seriously injured when firefighters arrived at 11.45am, said Edgecumbe volunteer fire brigade senior firefighter Jarrad West.

"Looked like a young couple. They were being checked out by the ambulance," said West.

"They must have managed to open a window and swim out. There was only the tail light sticking out."

A volunteer firefighter waded into the water and used a rock to smash the car's back window to ensure no one else was inside, said West.

"He got pretty wet, up to his stomach at least. He's all warmed up now."

West said the car was almost completely submerged in the river when firefighters left the scene 30 minutes later.

Te Teko Rd was a well travelled road between the two eastern Bay of Plenty towns, said West.

"It has a few corners on it."

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1 comment

Classy

Posted on 27-07-2015 02:52 | By Kenworthlogger

A demo of great NZ driving prowess...


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