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A driver narrowly escaped death when a large boulder crashed through the roof of his 4WD as he drove through the Manawatu Gorge yesterday.
Dannevirke man Bruce Mills was on his way to work in Ashhurst, 15km northeast of Palmerston North, when the boulder and a shower of smaller rocks tore through the roof of his Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The boulder, estimated to weigh 150kg, narrowly missed the 43-year-old welder, but destroyed the 4WD's interior.
Mr Mills told the Manawatu Standard his feet were knocked off the control pedals, but he was able to bring the car to a halt.
Other than a crack to the head, he got out of the car with barely a scratch.
Any passengers would have been seriously injured or killed, Mr Mills said.
New Zealand Transport Agency regional manager Errol Christiansen said the rockfall site had had netting, but it was destroyed by a landslide in October.
"We are currently putting in $250,000 worth of new netting," he told the paper.
He said rocks falling on cars in the gorge were rare.
"We are not saying it will never happen again, falling rocks are a hazard in the gorge, but it is a very geological stretch of road."
- NZPA
