For Simon Evans a routine concrete pumping job turned into a leap for his life after his seven-tonne truck's handbrake failed and it began crashing down a pathway of steps on Napier Hill yesterday morning.
Mr Evans, who is owner-operator of Evans and Browne Concrete Pumping, said he parked up about 7.30am near the end of Harvey Rd where the steps leading down to Sealy Rd start. "I put the handbrake on and we went down to the path to look at the job."
He and his workers were looking to lay concrete down beside the steps and were familiar with the site.
Mr Evans said the first he knew the vehicle was on the move was when one of his crew turned and yelled "here comes your truck!"
"It was rolling down pretty good and when it hit the kerb it just flew - we just jumped out of the way."