Coast crash victim ‘lucky to be alive’

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A Tolaga Bay man had what firefighters said was a lucky escape from serious injury or worse yesterday when his car went off State Highway 2 near the Waihau Bay corner, down a bank and struck a pine tree.

Fire and Emergency units from Tolaga Bay and Gisborne, police and Gisborne St John ambulance were called to the crash at around 9am.

“His car hit the pine tree right by the driver’s door pillar,” a senior Tolaga Bay firefighter said.

“He was very lucky to be alive.”

The man, aged in his late 20s, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Gisborne Hospital.

He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The Gisborne firefighters called to the crash were recalled once the Tolaga Bay volunteer crew arrived.