Mystery man rescues stranded woman

Mrs Clark said the man who stopped to help her was like a hero. Photo / Thinkstock

When Pennie Clark's car broke down on a trip back from Auckland she thought she would be stuck on the roadside for several hours.

But a man came to the rescue of the Rotorua woman and, though she couldn't remember his name, the woman wanted to thank her roadside hero.

Mrs Clark was driving along State Highway 5 towards Rotorua at about 3pm on Monday last week when she lost power in her car.

"There was nothing on the accelerator," she said.

"I noticed a little gravel driveway and pulled in. I turned the car off and tried to turn it back on but got nothing. It wouldn't move. Then it just started bucketing down."

Mrs Clark said she sat in her car unsure what to do because she had no cellphone coverage.

"I sat there for some time and cars were just whizzing past me," she said. "I decided to get out of the car with my umbrella and shortly after this young guy pulled up and asked me what was wrong."

The man, who was driving a ute, asked Mrs Clark who he could call for help.

He said that once he got cellphone coverage he would call for help. About half an hour later a tow truck arrived, she said.

She said this was the second time in recent weeks that she had to be taken home in a tow truck.

"The car was brand new. My husband died about 10 weeks ago and this was supposed to be something which would last and it just keeps breaking down," she said. "To be honest I get a bit nervous on my own now."

Mrs Clark said the man who stopped to help her was like a hero.

"He was such a lovely young guy. I don't know how long I would have been out there if he didn't stop to help me. I could have been stuck there all night," she said.

"I feel awful that I can't remember his name but I am so grateful for his help."

If you know who this roadside hero is contact Anita Moran: (07) 348 6199 ext 57055, or email her at anita.moran@dailypost.co.nz.