Driver trapped after 50m plunge at rally
A rally driver was trapped in his car for more than 90 minutes after it plunged 50 metres down a bank, rolling several times.
Experienced driver Les Summerfield has been nursing moderate shoulder and pelvic injuries in Christchurch Hospital, while his co-driver, Sarah Brennan, escaped the wreckage of their 1970s Ford Escort unscathed, according to emergency services.
Summerfield, an amateur driver, was competing in the Rally of Canterbury at Ashley Forest, in North Canterbury, where round three of the respective New Zealand Rally and Mainland Rally championships were also held on Saturday and Sunday.
A Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman said the crash happened about noon on Sunday when the car left the gravel track and rolled down a bank several times, finishing about 50 metres below the road.
The rescue helicopter crew was called about 1pm before being diverted to a fatal crash near Leithfield, North Canterbury.
Summerfield was treated immediately on scene, while fire crews from Rangiora stabilised the vehicle and freed him from the wreckage by 1.45pm. Meanwhile, the rescue helicopter crew arrived to fly Summerfield to Christchurch Hospital.
The helicopter spokesman said the remote crash location and reinforcement modifications made to the vehicle made extrication more difficult.
‘‘Although he’s got some significant injuries, I think he’s pretty lucky to get away with what he’s got away with.
‘‘He was surprisingly well, considering what he had been through.’’
Brennan was able to get out of the car herself uninjured, he said.
Autosport Club president Graham Wilson, whose organisation ran the rally, said it was likely Summerfield took the corner too fast. The car would be retrieved to check for any mechanical issues, he said.
Course clerk Wayne Barnard said he would investigate the cause of the crash, but refused to say what may have led to it. He said Summerfield had been involved in rallying ‘‘on and off’’ for several years.