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A Christchurch man charged with drink-driving when his car became stuck in the sea plans to contest the charge, saying he was merely "celebrating the sinking of the ship".
Hayden Tibbotts, 29, and a friend became stuck in the surf at Canterbury's Waikuku Beach after taking Mr Tibbotts' 1988 Ford Laser for a drive along the beach on Saturday, The Press reported.
The pair decided to stay in the car out of the cold and drink the beers they had bought in preparation for the night's rugby test as they waited to be rescued.
But as the waves got bigger they left the car and sat on the shore drinking and "watching the waves smash into the car".
When The Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived carrying a local police officer. Mr Tibbotts said he and his friend were "well into the beers.
"We had been there four or five hours. We thought we may as well have a drink to celebrate the sinking of the ship."
The officer charged Mr Tibbotts with excess breath alcohol.
A police spokesman yesterday confirmed a beach was legally considered to be a public road.
Mr Tibbotts disputed that he was drunk in charge of the car.
"We weren't doing anything stupid, it doesn't sound right that I'd ring the cops myself if I was drunk driving."
- NZPA
