Gough fined $600, avoids court after crash
High-profile Christchurch property developer Antony Gough has escaped charges after he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed his car down a bank.
Police gave Gough a $600 infringement notice for driving in a manner liable to cause injury or damage, a spokeswoman said.
Gough dozed off while driving his BMW X-5, worth $75,000, on the Christchurch-Akaroa Highway on the afternoon of Anzac Day (April 25). He said police noted his impeccable driving record – not even a speeding fine – when issuing the ticket.
The white SUV rolled off the road near a bend. Gough was driving home from Akaroa with his partner, Vicki Holland, and a friend. ‘‘The car nose-dived into a paddock. I don’t know how many times we somersaulted, it just rolled and rolled,’’ Gough said the next day.
His car became trapped upside down between two trees at the edge of a creek, with water seeping in. The windscreen shattered and the bonnet smashed.
All three in the car sustained moderate and minor injuries. They were taken to Christchurch Hospital. The BMW was a write-off. Gough – a rich-lister renowned for his flamboyant dress sense and whose property portfolio includes The Terrace development – was discharged from hospital that night. He said he was driving the next morning and attended a board meeting that day.
When asked if he thought he got off lightly, he said the decision was up to police. ‘‘The police will issue what they think is appropriate.’’
Canterbury Metro Commander Superintendent Lane Todd said an infringement, without a careless driving charge, was not unheard of for such an offence. ‘‘As a general rule we take a lot of factors into consideration. If he has no history that wouldn’t be outside the norm.’’