Otaki dogs missing the postie

Otaki postie Annette Jarrett is off the roads and bedridden with a fractured lower vertebrae and compressed spine after being bowled off her bicycle by a motorist.

Annette, an Otaki postie of 16 years who is recognised for stopping to give residents' dogs biscuits on her delivery path, cannot return to work for at least three months.

A postie of 35 years, who started out in the Hutt Valley before shifting to Waikanae in 1993, Annette feared she had broken her back from the highspeed knock on Tuesday, August 30.

"Thank you to the wonderful people who came to my aid after being hit by the car," said Annette, who was struck at the Aotaki St roundabout in Otaki at around 8.15am.

"I was afraid to open my eyes because I knew I'd freak out, so I didn't see who was there. But I could hear everything they were saying, including a girl called Fiona, and it really did help me calm down as much as was possible."

She thanked the team at Otaki Medical Centre for their prompt arrival at the scene, where a doctor and nurse helped her with two police officers and a small gathering of concerned locals.

"A special thanks to the boys from the ambulance at the scene and the guys in the helicopter. Steve, you were so caring."

She also thanked the team at Palmerston North E.R and the "lovely nurses in ward 24".

In all her years hitting the pedals in varying terrains to deliver Otaki's mail, she had never been in an accident.

"I thought I was going to get off scot free," said the dog lover, who was thrown onto the driver's bonnet before falling onto the road.

"I'm lucky because it could've been a lot worse."

Having spent two nights in Palmerston North Hospital, she now has to remain on bed rest for six weeks before returning for further x-rays.

Her ultimate goal was to get back to work and the faces of the Otaki residents, and dogs, she was missing.

"I've got my special dogs that come to the gate and wait for me. I'm sure they tell one another because more and more are coming up.

"I think the dogs might be missing me as well."

A light in the dark for the Levin local was receiving a signed get well card from Otaki residents, who wished her a speedy recovery.

"Thank you to the wonderful people who helped me on the day and for the card.

"You are all so great. It'll be a while before I am back delivering your mail, but when I am, give me a toot and a wave."