Elderly driver freed with chainsaw

Margaret Hooper's car landed in the garden of a property across the road from her home after she apparently hit the accelerator instead of the brake. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

A 94-year-old woman who crashed her car through a fence and into a tree had to be freed with a chainsaw.

Margaret Hooper reversed her car out of her house in Masterton yesterday morning and ended up crashing into a property across the road.

The first thing she said to those who rushed to her aid was that she would miss her hair appointment.

Lisa Crow-Kirk who, with husband Tom Kirk, owns the house where Mrs Hooper's car ended up, said it hit an old plum tree which stopped it from hitting the house.

The fallen plum tree trapped Mrs Hooper in her car, she said.

"I jumped in the back of the car with a blanket and a cup of tea. It's funny, it's the first time we've met and it was in our garden, in her car.

"She was very calm but she was so worried about missing her hair appointment that we sent someone around there to cancel it for her."

A workman who had been nearby borrowed a chainsaw from a neighbouring property to cut away branches from the tree so it could be moved and Mrs Hooper rescued.

Mrs Hooper was treated at the scene and was resting at home yesterday afternoon.

Masterton police Sergeant Chris Megaw said it appeared Mrs Hooper had mixed up the brake and accelerator pedals when backing out her driveway.