Father and son rescue motorist in harbour crash

Rescuers Christopher Hixon, left, and his father, Richard Hixon. Photo by Peter McIntosh
Rescuers Christopher Hixon, left, and his father, Richard Hixon. Photo by Peter McIntosh

Englishman Christopher Hixon (25) and his father, Richard Hixon helped a driver ashore yesterday morning after his car veered off Portobello Rd and landed upside-down in the harbour.

The Honda Civic was not submerged, as it was low tide when it crashed into the harbour about 10.40am.

The driver sustained minor injuries and shock.

Christopher Hixon, who is working in Wanaka, stopped to aid the man, helping him out of his overturned vehicle.

His father had been following in a campervan and also stopped to help.

Constable Brent Mitchell said it was not clear why the car left the road on a bend between Glenfalloch and Macandrew Bay. No other vehicles were involved.

The driver, in his 50s, had been travelling towards Broad Bay, Const Mitchell said.