The 4WD driven by Arthur Moratti and co driven by Regan Moratti flips during the 2nd round of the National four wheel drive 4x4 trials at a farm at Lepperton, north Taranaki. Photo / Rob Tucker
The 4WD driven by Arthur Moratti and co driven by Regan Moratti flips during the 2nd round of the National four wheel drive 4x4 trials at a farm at Lepperton, north Taranaki. Photo / Rob Tucker
Father and son 4WD team rescued after dramatic roll at race meet.
At least 25 men and a digger were used to save a man whose 4WD flipped during a race meeting in Taranaki, trapping him under water.
New Plymouth man Regan Moratti was co-driving with his father Arthur in the second round of the National 4WD 4x4 trial near Inglewood yesterday when the vehicle tipped into a creek.
Arthur escaped unscathed but Regan was trapped inside the ditch of water and mud after the pair "got it a little bit wrong in the end".
Image 1 of 9: The 4WD driven by Arthur Moratti and co driven by Regan Moratti flips during the 2nd round of the National four wheel drive 4x4 trials at a farm at Lepperton, north Taranaki. Photo / Rob Tucker
"It was quite scary and I couldn't get out. They reckon I was underwater for about 30 seconds," said Regan.
"I just held my breath and everyone rushed to tip it back on its wheels so it was good. I knew I would be all right."
Regan has been co-driving with his father for three years and said that it was the "scariest" experience he has had during a race meeting.
"We roll all the time but that's just part of the hazard, I guess, it happens. I was just in shock," he said.
He was treated on the scene by St John Ambulance staff who transported him to New Plymouth Hospital for a chest X-ray.
Regan says despite the scare, he will get "straight back into it".
But a veteran photo-journalist on the scene said the roll-over was one of the most dramatic scenes he had witnessed.
"I've never seen such a dangerous scenario as landing upside down in water," Rob Tucker said.
Tucker, who captured these images, said once the men managed to free Regan he had "water gushing out of his mouth".
"He was in a total daze when he got out. He sat down in the grass and couldn't get up. He was obviously traumatised."
The event is based on the ability of competitors to drive their vehicles over difficult terrain, including hill climbs, water courses, mud bogs, up steep hills, over rocks, ruts, along banks and a speed section.
The heavy machines, which have V8 engines, are designed to be able to roll over but will usually right themselves.
Diggers and tractors are on hand to pull the machines out of muddy bogs at race meetings.
