Emergency
MARY ARGUE
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“Three huge horrendous bangs” outside Masterton Police Station sent dozens of cops running to help a car crash victim on Friday.
The crash at the intersection of Dixon St and Park Ave happened just before midday – moments before Wairarapa police commenced their annual “Pay Parade” awards ceremony.
An off-duty police officer said he and others at the station rushed outside upon hearing the collision to see if they could help.
A nearby contractor described the sound of the crash as “three huge horrendous bangs”.
A blue Subaru reportedly ploughed through two poles, careened across three streets, and swiped two parked cars before ending up in a fence.
The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle suffered moderate injuries and were taken to Wairarapa Hospital by ambulance.
Police photographer Rod Gully said it was unbelievable no one else was hurt in the crash.
“The foot has been on the accelerator from zip.
“I’m not sure how he didn’t hit anyone through that intersection.”
The driver, reportedly an elderly man, was parked on Park St before the crash.
Initial police investigations indicated the car crashed through a power pole on Park St, snapping it at the base, before ploughing into a give-way sign, crossing Dixon St, and crashing into two parked cars on Park Ave.
The Subaru then swung around into the fence of the community sewing hub Come Sew With Me, directly opposite the police station car yard.
Heather Bannister, a coordinator at the hub, said the women inside were given “quite a fright” when the car came through the fence.
“It sounded like a truck out of control. There were multiple bangs.
“Nobody had to call the police. About 30 of them came running out.”
Bannister said the driver appeared to be conscious and responded to ambulance staff treating him at the scene.
