An Israeli tourist has cut his holiday short after his U-turn manoeuvre resulted in a crash.
Retired traveller Don Bratman (73) yesterday appeared for sentence before Judge Russell Walker in the Queenstown District Court after pleading guilty to careless driving causing injury.
The summary of facts made available to the Otago Daily Times stated Bratman was the driver of a car travelling west on the Glenorchy road last Thursday.
"The defendant’s vehicle collided head on with an oncoming van, which was travelling in a westerly direction around the bend," the summary said.
The driver of the van received a deep cut across his right knee and another above his left ankle.
Yesterday, Bratman’s lawyer Megan Waller said the incident happened because of a memory lapse for a matter of seconds.
"It could have happened to anyone," she said.
Her client had driven throughout the world and had not had any other driving incidents.
His wife received broken ribs as a result of the the crash.
With a flight booked for today, the pair were now desperate to get home.
"They are both quite distressed as a result of this incident," Ms Waller said.
Police prosecutor Sergeant John Solomon said he had spoken to the injured driver of the van, who said he had been off work for a week.
The man was likely to have his leave extended for another couple of weeks.
He was coping at home by using golf clubs to grab at things, Sgt Solomon said.
Judge Walker said Bratman had been careless and nothing more than that.
He ordered Bratman to pay $1000 emotional harm reparation to the victim and disqualified him from driving for six months.
