Teen crashes family barbecue

A Kihikihi family is in shock after a 15-year-old driver crashed a stolen vehicle into their property on Oliver St.

The family was enjoying a warm Saturday evening outside and getting ready for a BBQ dinner.

The teen had stolen his grandma’s car while she was away.

He drove through a give way sign, hit another vehicle, went through a concrete wall, over a retaining wall and into a car port where parents and children were socialising.

The driver was apprehended and referred to Youth Aid.

The family spoke to the Te Awamutu Courier, but did not want to be identified.

A couple and their son and baby were entertaining the mother’s parents when the event unfolded.

“We could see it was going to be bad when the vehicles crashed,” said mum.

“It was really quick and frightening. We all scattered.”

Her father pushed her son out of the way and jumped for safety.

She fell to the ground with her baby cradled in her arms. The car came to a stop above her.

She says her mother had her back against a wall and one foot on the car bonnett — ‘like she could push it away’.

No-one was seriously hurt, although the mum does have back muscle damage which she is hoping to recover from.