In brief

Wrong pedal fatal

An apparently out of control car burst out of an Auckland garden centre carpark yesterday, careering into a couple walking by. The woman died and her companion was seriously injured after the Jaguar car hit them about 9am outside the Palmers garden centre in Remuera. It is believed the driver of the Jaguar was a customer who went to exit the car park but stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake. The driver lost control and the car was ‘‘going at full speed’’ in reverse when it hit the couple, a witness said.

Vehicle crashes into cafe

Three people were injured when an elderly driver crashed into a Cambridge cafe late yesterday morning. About 40 people were in the cafe when the stationwagon reversed through the glass doors, sending crockery, tables and coffee flying. The male driver was taken to hospital and two customers were treated at the scene. Cafe supervisor Daniel Van Munster said the driver had suffered a seizure.

Body found in river

A man’s body was found in the Waikato River in central Hamilton yesterday morning. The man, believed to be Asian and in his late 20s, was discovered about 7am. Senior Sergeant Pete van de Wetering said the body was found close to the river bank and near the Anzac Parade Bridge. The discovery delayed the start of racing in the annual Bridge to Bridge speedboat event.

Seddon has 5.5 quake

An earthquake measuring 5.5 hit near Seddon at a depth of 12km at 4.15pm yesterday. The quake was felt as far south as Christchurch and as far north as Auckland. The tremor was followed by a magnitude 3 quake near Hastings.