By Nic Duff of 
Peter Cartwright surveys the damage after a truck hit a car and his house in North End, Oamaru. Photo: Otago Daily Times / Mark Julius
A retired Oamaru barber is used to close shaves, but this one was a little too close for comfort.
Peter Cartwright was given a rude awakening about 3am yesterday when a milk truck tore through the front of his house.
Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, said the milk truck was heading south along Thames St and hit a parked car before smashing into the building.
It was believed the driver fell asleep at the wheel, Woodbridge said.
Once it went through the building, the truck ended up on its side and had to be lifted upright by a crane.
Oamaru police said inquiries into the crash were ongoing.
The driver escaped without injury.
Cartwright said the crash was quite a surprise, to say the least.
"I put my pants on pretty quick."
A milk truck hit a car and a house in North End, Oamaru on 23 January, 2023. Photo: Otago Daily Times / Mark Julius
Cartwright is a retired barber and the part of the building the truck went through used to be his shop, but is now used for storage.
"A lot of personal, little knick-knacks and things were stored in there.
"We'll see how much of it's damaged when I get a hold of it."
The room itself was completely ruined.
"That part of the building won't be salvageable. It will have to be replaced or demolished."
He was glad no-one was injured in the crash.
"Nobody was hurt, that's the main thing.
"Just one of these things that happens."
He would "just smile and get on with life" as he moved on from the ordeal.
- This story originally appeared on the Otago Daily Times.
