Narrow escape from runaway truck

MOVING HOUSE: A truck moving furniture smashed into a neighbouring property near Waipu.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Moving house took on a new meaning when a furniture truck smashed through the wall of a Northland home and stopped only metres short of a woman who had been relaxing on a couch.

The truck was parked in the drive of a house at Riverview Pl, near Waipu, when it rolled and smashed into a neighbouring house about 11am yesterday.

Waipu police Senior Constable Martin Geddes said the driver had been delivering furniture to the Waipu house from Auckland and had repositioned the vehicle to unload.

"He stepped out of the vehicle and took a couple steps when he heard the sound of the brake releasing. He considered getting back in but had to step away," Mr Geddes said.

The truck rolled about 20 metres down the drive before striking a house directly in its path.

"The front of the truck was buried in the house."

A woman in her 50s had been on the couch but when she heard the sound of the fence being smashed she jumped up.

Mr Geddes said the woman had to get out of the way as she was in the direct line of the 10-tonne truck. It stopped only metres short of where she had been on the couch. Glass from shattered ranchsliders spilled across the floor and the woman needed medical attention for a cut to her foot.

"She was very lucky it stopped where it did," Mr Geddes said.

The police commercial vehicle inspectors were at the scene and were examining the truck.