Tale of fiveyearold’s drive

By Paul Dunlop
NATHAN Millar might have to wait longer than most youngsters for his dad to lend him the keys to the family car after surviving a wild ride just before Christmas.
The fiveyearold Emerald boy became the focus of statewide attention after he accidentally sent the car crashing through the front window of the neighbour’s house.
Nathan’s mum, Bella, said he had been playing in the garden of the Millars’ Lawsons Road home when he climbed into the car, released the handbrake and caused it to roll 50 metres down the steep driveway of his home and into the window of the house across the street.
Noone was hurt, but it was a novel way for Nathan to meet the neighbours who had only just moved in.
Mrs Millar said the vehicle was a writeoff, but her son later assured her that it was only ‘scratched a little bit’.
The accident attracted the attention of metropolitan television and newspapers.
A threemonthold baby lying on the floor in the front room of the neighbouring house was moved by his mother just minutes before Nathan and the car crashed into the home.
Mrs Millar said she was thankful nobody was hurt and that despite his ordeal, Nathan was fine.
“He went to kindergarten the next day, he was a bit bemused about all the fuss,” she said.
The Millars’ new car would be kept locked at all times and is a different make to the old one, Mrs Millar said.
“That would be too much like tempting fate.”
Mrs Millar said the ordeal would definitely be retold at Nathan’s 21st.
He got toy cars for Christmas but not surprisingly is now banned from playing in the real thing, Mrs Millar said.