Mangawhai tornado: Daughter’s lucky escape leaves lacerations, broken bones

There was supposed to be an open home at 81-year-old Alan Johnson’s house on Sunday, but it had been torn to shreds during the storm that hit Mangawhai overnight.

“Top floor is gone, but every room is damaged,” he said.

Two people from Mangawhai were taken to hospital in a serious condition. One was flown to Auckland Hospital by helicopter and the other was taken to North Shore Hospital.

Alan Johnson in front of his Old Waipu Road home. Photo / Peter de Graaf, RNZ

One of them was Johnson’s daughter, who was at his Old Waipu Road home at the time and escaped by jumping down on top of the carport.

She is now in Auckland Hospital, awaiting surgery.

“She’s got lacerations and broken bones,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he was still in shock, but was relieved his daughter was okay.

Johnson had worked for years to get his house ready to sell.

“It was supposed to be an open home today. It was an open home yesterday. The house was in beautiful condition, like tip-top condition. Now look at it.

“It is really devastating. We’d worked four years to get it up to this stage.”

Johnson said he was still in shock.

“I’m relieved my daughter is okay.

“My granddaughter was living in Mangawhai last night. She didn’t get hurt. She’s now down at Auckland Hospital with my daughter.”

- RNZ

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