KEY POINTS:
It was one of Rod McKenzie's wildest car trips - and certainly must have been the wettest.
The retired primary school principal was behind the wheel in a torrential downpour on Monday when, he said, his car aquaplaned over an 8m bank and into the usually slow-flowing Collins River in Nelson.
Mr McKenzie was tossed down the torrent for about 100m before he escaped and clambered out of the river by grabbing blackberry bushes growing on the side.
Yesterday, his damaged car was still firmly stuck in the drink.
While Mr McKenzie walked away with only scratches, he still has to get the car out and may end up facing a charge of dangerous driving.
