Out-of-control van wipes out surf shop frontage

Surf shop wipe out . . . a van went out of control and ploughed into part of the frontage of Blitz Surf Shop in Wainui Road just after midday on Sunday. Shop staff and customers escaped injury but the driver was taken to Gisborne Hospital with moderate injuries. Pictures supplied

The frontage of the Blitz Surf Shop in Wainui Road sustained extensive damage at around midday on Sunday when a van veered off the road and smashed into the building.

The van ploughed through the left front corner of the shop and came to rest by the counter.

“The two staff members on at the time were fortunately elsewhere in the shop,” a shop spokesman said.

“If they had been at the counter they would probably have been injured. Both were shaken up by what happened

A customer at the rear of the shop at the time also escaped injury.

The shop staff went to the aid of the van’s driver, and tended to him until the emergency services arrived.

Builders were called in later in the afternoon to board up and secure the damaged portion of the shop frontage.

“We will likely be closed for some time because of the extensive damage,” the spokesman said.

“We also had some shop stock damaged.”

The driver, the sole occupant of the van, was taken to Gisborne Hospital for treatment for what were described by St John ambulance as “moderate” injuries.

Police have an inquiry under way.