Tourist driver pays a fraction of damage billSAM STRONG/STUFF Nikhil Sahai, a tourist from India, crashed into a power pole near Whataroa, pictured, in January. A honeymooning tourist who caused electrical havoc with a car crash on the West Coast has avoided a conviction and returned overseas while paying only a tiny fraction of the potential $257,500 damage bill. He was allowed to leave New Zealand while he faced a charge of careless driving in a 2017 BMW rental car. It brought down lines and caused a power surge that was believed to have blown out household appliances across the district, and damaged electrical systems in shearing sheds. Lines company Westpower wanted $57,500 for the damage in the crash, but the cost of damage from the surge may cost insurers a further $200,000.

Source: Stuff May 01, 2018 06:22 UTC