Diners at the The Junction Honey Cafe narrowly avoided being struck by a car that crashed through a front window on Sunday after the driver lost control on the Kumara Junction roundabout.
A cafe spokeswoman said one couple had been sitting right by the window which the vehicle came hurtling through just before 10.30am and had to run to get out of the way.
"They were pretty shaken - everyone was pretty shocked. Glass just exploded everywhere. It went right through the cafe," the spokeswoman said.
About 40 people were in the cafe at the time, mostly local hot rod club members.
No one was injured, including the male driver.
Constable Owen Bainbridge, of Hokitika police, said the driver lost control on the roundabout, causing the car to go backwards through the front window.
Police inquires were continuing to establish what, if any, charges will be laid.
The cafe was closed for the remainder of the day as staff cleaned up and dealt with the insurance company.
This morning police staff said inquiries were still under way, but it looked as if the driver had come around the junction roundabout "a bit quickly" and hit the kerb before losing control and spinning out on the greasy road.
It had been raining lightly just prior.
Inquiries were continuing and charges as a result of the crash may be pending. There was no indication yet if the driver was impeded in any other way but "no alcohol was involved", police said.
- Janna Sherman of the Hokitika Guardian
