An SUV which gave a Dunedin a resident a "rude awakening" when a man crashed it into the side of his house yesterday has finally been removed.
Householder Melle Steringa said the driver was ''very lucky'' to escape uninjured from the crash on the Kaikorai Valley side of Stuart St about 4.40am.
The SUV went through a fence and smashed into the side of the house, ripping spouting off the roof. It was left wedged between the house and a bank and proved difficult to move.
Efforts by a towing company to remove the SUV proved unsuccessful yesterday and it was not removed until this morning.
Mr Steringa said he was woken by a ''loud bang'' and his first thought was that there had been an earthquake.
''Quickly after that I heard someone walk around outside talking on the phone and then a knock on the door.''
The driver, who escaped uninjured, then apologised to him.
A few small cracks had appeared on the side of the house.
''I'm just glad no-one got hurt.''
The wall was on the opposite side of the house to his bedroom, so he was not at risk of being injured, but he said the driver was ''very lucky''.
The SUV was proving difficult to move.
Mr Steringa said last night it was expected to be removed this morning.
