Car crashes down bank in Bellevue

UPDATE: 4.55PM

A car driven by an elderly woman crashed down a bank into a fence in Bellevue Rd
after a two-vehicle collision yesterday afternoon.

Sergeant Wayne Hunter said the second car driven by a teenage driver had just turned right from Windsor Rd into Bellevue Rd, when the two vehicles connected about 3.50pm.

Mr Hunter said the other driver, aged in her mid 80's, had been heading down Bellevue Rd and her car came to rest up up against a corrugated iron fence.

Because of the angle of the wedged car which ended up about 2.5m down the bank the driver could not get out herself, but she was able to walk up to the roadside with the help of local fire fighters, he said.

Mr Hunter said the elderly driver appeared okay, but she was checked over by St John Ambulance staff at the scene.

Local residents comforted both drivers, including the clearly shaken teenage driver.

One Bellevue Rd resident told the Bay of Plenty Times she did not see the two vehicles collide but saw a vehicle careering down the bank.

"It was scary. I'm amazed the driver was not hurt, and she managed to walk to the ambulance," she said.