A pedestrian was filmed being flung into a road in Wellington, New Zealand, in front of oncoming traffic after she was suddenly caught up in a ferocious gust of wind
A woman had a lucky escape after she was blown into the path of oncoming cars by a freakishly strong gust of wind.
Dashcam footage showed how she was walking along a pavement on her way up to a pedestrian crossing when she was suddenly caught by the wind which reached 85mph in Wellington and is known as New Zealand’s windiest city. The woman was already being blown forward when she approached the crossing and then appeared to try and grab the traffic light post but missed before falling into the road.
Luckily a set of cars had already passed and there was a gap before more vehicles came so they were able to stop in time while she picked herself up from the floor and managed to get to the kerb without serious injury.
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Many people took to social media to comment on the strength of the gust. One person wrote on X: “The wind in Wellington is not for amateurs. I’ve never experienced something like that elsewhere.”
Another person said: “I hope someone got out and helped her!! Poor dear!” and a further stated: “Glad she’s okay.” While one comment read: “She’s so lucky a bus wasn’t roaring down the Bus Lane. Go home and count your blessings.”
It comes as a man was tragically killed after being struck by a tree branch in a Wellington park on Tuesday during the stormy weather. The dangerous winds and heavy rain have disrupted travel, closed schools and cut electricity in parts of the country.
Wind cancelled flights into and out of Wellington for several hours before they resumed to bumpy take-offs and landings. The storm also halted passenger ferry sailings. The man who died had been injured on Mount Victoria, a popular trail walking spot in the central city.
Authorities have urged residents to stay out of the city’s parks and reserves because of the danger from falling trees. About 10,000 properties were without electricity in the neighbouring rural region of Wairarapa, according to figures from the local lines company. Schools and businesses in the area closed for the day.
Throughout Tuesday the lower North Island, where Wellington is located, and most of the South Island were under wind or rain warnings. In Christchurch on the South Island, gales disrupted flights on Tuesday afternoon.
Some state highways on both islands were closed due to flooding and landslides. In Hawkes Bay on the North Island, the wind toppled a truck, injuring one person and closing the road, authorities said.
New Zealand’s location in the southern latitudes and the mountain ranges that run the length of the country can produce wild weather throughout the year. MetService said the tempest was due to ease Wednesday before a second, more severe weather system was expected Thursday.