Loose metal leaves car in sorry state

A driver walked away without serious injury after a car smashed into a bank near the coastal settlement of Ngunguru following a botched passing manoeuvre.
Police, ambulance and Ngunguru volunteer firefighters were called to the crash about two kilometres south of Ngunguru at 11am yesterday. When emergency services arrived the driver, the only person in the car, was out of the car and had a minor seatbelt burn to his neck and a cut finger.
The driver was allegedly overtaking when he lost control in loose metal. Police are investigating.
Meanwhile, in Panguru a four-wheel-drive vehicle hit a ditch, rolled, then burst into flames about 12.50am yesterday. Volunteers from Kohukohu Fire Brigade arrived quickly and extinguished the fire.
Chief Fire Officer Bill Thompson said there was no driver in the vehicle when they arrived and police were investigating. A crew of volunteer firefighters from Ahipara also attended.