John Langley cleans up a DIY engine job gone wrong near Whangarei's Hatea Loop walkway. Photo / John Stone
John Langley cleans up a DIY engine job gone wrong near Whangarei's Hatea Loop walkway. Photo / John Stone
A man who attempted to fix his car in a public carpark spilt oil near drains leading to Whangarei Harbour and was quickly dobbed in by passers-by.
Transfield Services' John Langley, contracted to Whangarei District Council, was racing to clean up several litres of oil on Thursday and Friday, aftera man decided to take his engine apart about 20m from the water.
"He had his car jacked up and there was oil everywhere. It's an environmental hazard in a tourist area," Mr Langley said.
Jimi Hart was staying in a caravan nearby and said the man was a "peculiar chap" who became covered in oil.
"For a start, he's in the marine area and it's quite clearly sign posted ... All of us [caravan dwellers] have to be fully self-contained. Even if we drop grey water we can get serious fines."