Ricocheting vehicle on SH1 trashes Tirau shopfronts

The damage at Notting Hill Interiors. Photo / Herald on Sunday

An out-of-control car ping-ponged across our busiest highway on Friday night - taking out shopfronts but somehow missing traffic.

The accident left a 54-year-old woman with serious injuries and facing possible driving charges after claims she had been drinking.

It has left residents in the Waikato town of Tirau amazed that the driver was not killed after the 4WD she was in ricocheted across State Highway One twice.

The Nissan Terrano first slammed into Notting Hill Interiors about 10pm. It then reversed across State Highway 1, hitting Van Dyks Mega Store.

After bouncing along the side of the building, taking out a power supply and picnic table, it reversed back across the main highway to hit the Serious Fun surf shop.

And finally, having struck the concrete wall outside the surf shop, the car shot across SH1 once more to come to a halt outside Van Dyks.

The driver was airlifted from Tirau with fears of a spinal injury, but was discharged from hospital yesterday.

Notting Hill owner Jimi Bacon said the Nissan crashed through a 15cm thick wall before reversing and continuing the "devastating three-point-turn".

"We have to close for about a month. We'll be out of pocket tens of thousands of dollars."

It was remarkable the car wasn't hit because trucks often drove into the town at up to 100km/h, said Bacon.

Oxford Hotel owner and volunteer firefighter Geoff Ratcliffe heard the noise from inside the hotel bar. It was a wrench for Ratcliffe, who had known the driver for 12 years.

"There was a while there that it wasn't looking like it would be a positive outcome. We were dealing with a possible spinal injury. Definitely some emotions flow but the whole brigade had to put them aside."

Constable Terry Garnett from Putaruru police believed alcohol was a factor but was also investigating possible medical issues.

He and others at the scene were in awe at the woman's good fortune.