Prominent businessman and developer Antony Gough is counting his lucky stars after totalling his BMW when he fell asleep behind the wheel.
The flamboyant Christchurch property developer was travelling from Akaroa near Christchurch when he fell asleep. His white SUV headed into a roadside ditch and flipped.
"The car nose-dived into a paddock. I don't know how many times we somersaulted but it felt like we were in a washing machine, it just rolled and rolled," Mr Gough told Fairfax.
"We're just lucky we were in such a strong car or it could have been a lot worse."
Mr Gough was travelling with his partner Vicki Holland and another passenger at the time of the crash and says they were able to get themselves out of the car before any water from a nearby creek got inside.
All occupants were taken to hospital with minor and moderate injuries but Mr Gough has deemed the car an "absolute write-off".
It's not expected to make too much of a dint in the bank account, the Gough family are estimated to be worth as much as $350 million.
Newshub.
