KEY POINTS:
Only good fortune prevented maritime disaster when a ladder was recklessly thrown from the Auckland Harbour Bridge, missing an America's Cup yacht by only a few metres.
Irate that an abandoned ladder in the left-hand lane was causing traffic to slow to a crawl, a motorist jumped out of his vehicle and tossed the obstacle into the Waitemata Harbour.
A witness told the Herald on Sunday that after the ladder was cast to the sea, the driver hopped back in his car and headed north, oblivious that an America's Cup yacht was sailing under the bridge.
Just a few metres separated the boat's crew and carnage.
"We thought it was lucky there was no boats underneath. Five seconds later, NZL40 sailed by," the witness said. "The crew didn't look too happy."
The former Team New Zealand yacht now takes daily trips around the harbour, as sailing enthusiasts pay to work as crew on the 1995 Cup-winning boat.
Skipper Eric Haagh says the ladder missed the yacht by 20m - less than a boat length.
"We were lucky, it was a bloody close call, mate. A few seconds later and it would have done serious damage to somebody.
"We just thought it was a bit of scaffolding. Our guests were like, 'What the hell?'"
Yesterday, Transit and police communications told the Herald on Sunday that a patrol car was called to remove a ladder leaning against the bridge railing.
That ladder was later returned to its owner said police, raising the possibility that a second ladder was thrown overboard before officers arrived at the scene.
The second ladder is reported missing, presumed drowned.
