Baker runs for life as car hits shop

A New Plymouth baker had a lucky escape when a car burst through the wall of his shop earlyyesterday morning.

Steven Lorth of Westown Bakery was standing at the fryer about 6.20am when he heard a loud bang outside.

At first he thought the noise was an electrical fault but the sound of an engine alerted him to run.

Seconds later, the car smashed through the wall beside where he’d been standing. The impact flung a chest freezer more than 1m across the bakery and sent hot oil flying.

“If I was a split second later, I would have been hit,” Lorth said. “Even the ambulance officer said I was lucky.”

The only injuries he suffered were cuts and bruises. His wife and parents, also in the shop, escaped unscathed.

Lorth later saw the driver Steven Lorth bears no ill-will towards the driver who ploughed through the wall of his New Plymouth bakery early yesterday. speaking with police after the crash.

A 17-year-old man will appear in court after failing a breath test.

A give way sign, tree and parked car were also damaged moments before the car ploughed into the bakery.

Meanwhile, Lorth is back in business after temporary plywood repairs, and is awaiting an insurance assessment.

He said he held no ill-will towards the teenage driver.

“He was apologetic, and he’s just made a mistake I think.

“It’s a good yarn.”

TS