Army chief unscathed in car accident

The Chief of the Army, Major General Lou Gardiner, escaped injury this morning when the car he was in crashed.

The general was on his way to Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, when the crash occurred on State Highway 1, near Levin.

Army spokeswoman Major Denise Mackay said another vehicle apparently pulled out into the wrong lane, forcing the military driver to swerve to avoid it.

Major General Gardiner praised the driver's quick reactions, which prevented a far more serious incident.

The driver received injuries to his legs and was taken to Wellington Hospital, but his condition was not believed to be serious.

The female driver of the other other was not injured.

Police are investigating.

- NZPA