Grateful drivers want to honour mystery saviour

Terry Hooper is thanking the quick-thinking motorist who waved down traffic after a sudden slip took away a large chunk of the road on SH1 at the Brynderwyn Hills. Photo/John Stone

A man has been hailed a hero for saving the lives of motorists by warning them of the large slip that opened up suddenly on the Brynderwyns on Sunday - the only problem is the people he saved don't know whohe is.

Terry Hooper wants to thank the mystery man who "saved lives" but first needs to know who he is so he can pass on his gratitude.

Mr Hooper said the man was standing in the rain under an umbrella, slowing traffic and steering vehicles away from the slip at about 1pm on Sunday.

"If that man hadn't been there, I don't think [he and his travelling companions] would be here. He certainly saved lives," Mr Hooper said.

The underslip, about 20m long in the northbound lane on the south side of the hill, had fallen away leaving an 8m drop to the ground.

Mr Hooper, a Kamo resident, had been on a trip to Auckland with a friend and his wife. It was his friend who was driving when they noticed the man, about 100m ahead on the opposite side of the road, under a brightly-coloured umbrella and beside a black car.

"We were coming up the hill and there were two lanes, and vehicles passing us. I saw him [the man] pointing at the cars who passed us," Mr Hooper said. "All of a sudden my mate saw the hole and swerved away from it. We counted our lucky stars. "It was bucketing down. There was so much water running over the slip. Not only did he put himself at risk as the whole road could have given way with the amount of water flowing down the hill, but he saved lives.

"If he was not there slowing everyone down, our car, along with many others, would have gone down the slip.

"I would like to express my sincere thanks."

Who was the mystery saviour? If you know contact the Northern Advocate on 09 4702838 or email reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz .

Hannah Norton