Beer run goes bad
An Auckland driver has set a new standard for bad driving by allegedly speeding, being under the influence of alcohol and crashing — all without leaving the confines of Kaitaia's Pak'n'Save carpark. A police spokesman said the 70-year-old man crashed his Toyota Prado into a trolley
bay on Tuesday evening, demolishing the bay and propelling his vehicle over a bank and into a roadside drain. The vehicle was on its side when emergency services arrived. He was treated at the scene by St John Ambulance but was not seriously injured. Both speed and alcohol were likely factors, police said. The man told police he had driven to the supermarket to get some more beers.
Health advocate dies
Renowned former paediatrician and longtime Whangarei resident Donald Beasley has died. Mr Beasley died on December 27, aged 97, at Jane Mander Retirement Village, Whangarei. He was a former international president of IHC New Zealand and a powerful advocate for the intellectually disabled. The Dunedin-based Donald Beasley Institute, which opened in 1984 and is a leader in intellectual disability research, was named in his honour. Mr Beasley was former chairman of the Northland Hospital and Northland Area Health Boards. He was also foundation chairman of the elderly persons' housing scheme, Abbeyfield Whangarei Inc. Mr Beasley was the husband of the late Carol, father of Alastair, Michael, Tony and Adrian, father-in-law to Lynne and Susan and grandfather of Caroline, Eleanor and Leathan.
Hurt man thought to be car-surfing
An injured man found on the side of Quarry Rd, Awanui, at midnight on Friday is thought to have fallen from a vehicle in a second car-surfing accident in little more than a week. There was no sign of the car when emergency services arrived but a Kaitaia firefighter said a large patch of oil and debris further up the hill suggested revelry, including burnouts and bonnet surfing, had gone badly wrong. Meanwhile, the man critically injured in a car-surfing stunt on the Karikari Peninsula remains in Auckland Hospital in a serious but stable condition. The Northland man was riding on the bonnet of a car about 1.45am on December 28 when the driver, an Auckland woman, lost control on Inland Rd, crashed through a fence and rolled. He suffered critical head injuries and was airlifted to hospital by helicopter.
Fat Freddy's Drop perform
Roots reggae legends Fat Freddy's Drop will perform at Kainui Road Vineyard, north of Kerikeri, on Saturday as part of a six-date summer tour. The Kerikeri show, in the vineyard's natural amphitheatre, will feature hip-hop/soul singer Ladi6 and DJ Logg Cabin as support acts. Fat Freddy's trombonist Joe Lindsay, aka Hopepa, who attended Kerikeri High School for a few years before his family moved to Whangarei, said he was looking forward to "coming home".
Woman injured
A 28-year-old suffered facial fractures when she was allegedly assaulted by two male family members in Kaikohe on Boxing Day. She was initially taken to Bay of Islands Hospital then transferred to Whangarei. Two men have been charged with wounding with intent.