Joyriders trash paralympian's car

Jim Savage. Photo / Alan Gibson

WHAKATANE - A Bay of Plenty paralympian who was named one of the Herald's unsung heroes last year is stranded after his car was trashed by joyriders and special portable hand controls ripped out.

Jim Savage's brown Nissan Pulsar was taken last Thursday and found on Saturday night in a Kawerau reserve, rammed against a tree, smoking from the bonnet, soaking wet inside and out and surrounded by tyre ruts.

The hand controls - two rods that could be clamped on or off in a couple of minutes and allowed him to drive without the use of legs - were ripped out and apparently thrown away.

Mr Savage said he was less concerned about replacing the car and more concerned about finding his missing controls.

They were bought in Canada about 15 years ago, can be fitted to left-hand and right-hand drive cars, and are difficult to replace. Permanently-fitted hand controls could cost upwards of $2500.

Mr Savage was made an MBE in 1976 for services to the community.

His legs were amputated in 1958 after he contracted polio.

He represented New Zealand at the Paralympics from 1968 in everything from table tennis to swimming to shot put and won more than 20 gold, silver and bronze medals.

He also helped establish the Eve Rimmer Games, a biennial event held in Whakatane and named in honour of one of New Zealand's top paralympians.

He was named one of the Herald's unsung heroes last year and won a Pacific cruise with P&O for his selfless volunteer work.

The thieves left several items in Mr Savage's car, including a Community Services Card, a cheque, a pink lighter and several papers.

Senior Sergeant Mark van der Kley of the Kawerau police said they had investigated some lines of inquiry but were yet to make any arrests in relation to the theft.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF