Car ploughs through wall of Taranaki bakery, narrowly missing shop owner

Steven Lorth of Westown Bakery in New Plymouth had a lucky escape when a car smashed through the wall of the bakery early this morning. Photo / Supplied

A New Plymouth baker made a lucky escape when a car burst through the wall of his shop early this morning.

Steven Lorth of Westown Bakery was standing at the fryer about 6.20am when he heard a loud bang outside, and assumed it was a blown power box.

However, the sound of an engine warned him that it was something more dangerous, and he instinctively ran.

Seconds later, the car smashed through the wall of the bakery beside where he'd been standing. The impact flung a chest freezer more than 1m across the shop and sent hot oil flying.

"If I was a split second later, I would have been hit," Lorth said.

"Even the ambulance officer said I was lucky."

The only injuries he suffered were cuts and bruises. His wife and parents, also in the shop, escaped unscathed. Lorth later witnessed the driver speaking with police after the crash.

A 17-year-old man will appear in court after returning a failed breath test.

A give way sign, tree and parked car were also damaged moments before the car ploughed into the bakery.

Sergeant Ross Wright said the youth would be charged with drink driving.

The area of the bakery where Steven Lorth was working when the car ploughed into the building. Photo / Supplied

Meanwhile, Lorth was back open for business after temporary plywood repairs, and is awaiting an insurance assessment.

He said he held no ill will towards the teenaged driver.

"He was apologetic, and he's just made a mistake I think.

"It's a good yarn."