Hi all, I’m hoping one or two of our Hawke’s Bay-dwelling followers can help shed a little more light on this interesting report I recently received. It’s not an area I’m familiar with.
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I wish to provide the following account of an incident I experienced while driving along Clifton Road in Hawke’s Bay.
The sighting occurred on Tuesday, September 8th, at approximately 7.00 pm. I was driving my car along Clifton Road towards Cape Kidnappers. It was around dusk, and visibility was beginning to decrease, although I could still clearly see the road and surrounding area.
As I approached and travelled across the bridge over the Maraetotara River, near the junction with Charlton Road, I noticed what appeared to be a person standing on or immediately beside the bridge.
At first I assumed it was simply a pedestrian. However, as I got closer, I realised the figure did not look quite normal. The person appeared white or grey and had what I can only describe as a ghostly or unusually pale appearance. The figure appeared to be standing upright and motionless. I didn’t get a look at the face, but I could tell the figure was a woman.
I did not see the person walk onto the bridge, and I did not observe any obvious movement as I approached. Because I was driving, I continued along the road and concentrated on maintaining control of the vehicle. I looked towards the figure as I passed, but the sighting was brief. When I reached the end of the bridge, I checked the rear-view mirror for a second look. The figure had gone.
I cannot say with certainty what I saw. Only that it looked human in shape, but not in its appearance. If that makes sense. I can only describe what I personally observed: a pale white or grey, human-like figure standing motionless near the bridge over the Maraetotara River at approximately 7.00 pm on a Tuesday evening. The experience was unusual enough that I clearly remember the location, the time, and the figure’s appearance. I have no explanation for what I saw.
Thought you might be interested.
Kind Regards
Dave
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The location itself is an old and historically significant part of the Clifton area. Heritage New Zealand records archaeological sites along Clifton Road beside the Maraetotara River, including pā and pit/terrace sites associated with Māori occupation.
The Maraetotara River and surrounding Clifton area have also been associated with significant, and sometimes dangerous, events. Historical accounts describe major flooding, including a particularly severe flood in June 1974 when the Maraetotara flooded through the Clifton area. During floods, the river became a major torrent, with water flowing through the Clifton area in darkness.
The wider Maraetotara River is also associated with documented deaths. In December 2018, 20-year-old Aman Kumar drowned at Maraetotara Falls after entering deep water while swimming. The Falls are on the Maraetotara River, though they are upstream of the Clifton Road bridge.
I have not personally investigated whether anyone has died on the Clifton Road bridge or whether there is an established local story about a ghost or apparition at that location.
Zooming in on a part of the bridge fencing, I can see a name. Tony Loughnan Bridge. I’m not sure whether this is the official bridge name or one created locally in tribute.
