Hill slip damages vehicles

TWO cars were damaged in a slip in the Wellington suburb of Karori last evening.

The five-metre-wide slip came down from the steep hill on Birdwood St about 5.20pm, police said.

The two cars, a Nissan and a Volvo, were among those parked on the side of the road by people commuting to the city.

One car was pushed out from the side of the hill into the street, but was not blocking traffic.

Karori resident Nokuthaba Sibanda’s car was partly covered in bush, earth and rocks.

‘‘I got a call from police to tell me my car had been damaged. At least it didn’t happen while I was in the car,’’ she said.

Her car would have to remain where it was because it was stabilising the hillside, police said.

Engineers would work on removing the car this morning.

The owner of the other car was Michael Upton, who had been looking forward to driving home and getting warm after he got off the bus from the city.

‘‘I walked up the hill and saw there had been a slip. The damage doesn’t look too bad so fingers crossed,’’ he said. Both cars are insured. Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said the council would assess the situation today.

The hilly streets of Karori have periodically suffered from erosion and slips during heavy rain. In 1998, rain sparked an avalanche, covering part of Raroa Rd in mud.