Stolen SUV Collides with Cyclists, Injures Five and Kills Dog in Epsom
A stolen car struck a group of cyclists in the Auckland suburb of Epsom on Wednesday morning. It caused five people to be injured and a dog to be killed. The incident happened around 7:05 am on Manukau Road. Emergency services responded to the scene. A man is understood to have taken the vehicle before crashing into the cyclists.
Three of the injured were transported to hospital, with one in critical condition, another suffering serious injuries, and the third in moderate condition. Two other individuals were treated on-site. Hato Hone St John officials confirmed five patients were at the scene when emergency crews arrived.
Eyewitnesses reported the man was shouting in the street. He appeared to have no pants on. He attacked a woman before stealing her keys. He then drove off in an old SUV. He damaged nearby vehicles. He eventually collided with a group of cyclists. A witness told the NZ Herald that the man threw punches. He knocked the woman to the ground. He then sped away and hit one of the cyclists. This sent them flying over the car.
Manthan Patel, a petrol station worker, said he heard what sounded like a 'crazy' noise. He witnessed the man crash into another vehicle. Another eyewitness from Forbes Homemade Gourmet described the man shouting in the street. This was near their workplace. She expressed fear he might enter the premises. This prompted her to call the police. Shortly after, cafe customers confirmed to staff that the man had punched a woman. They said he had stolen a car.
The intersection of Manukau Road and Mt St John Ave became the focal point of the incident. The man was seen fighting with the woman there. He caused chaos at the location. A worker at the Steam Wand cafe reported hearing the man screaming at 7:00 am. This was followed by the cries of a woman. Police passed by the location shortly after the disturbance began.
At the scene, emergency responders were confronted with several smashed vehicles and a crumpled bicycle, with a red puffer jacket found nearby. A cordon was put in place around the area, causing significant traffic congestion, though the situation is gradually improving as the cordon clears.
Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Epsom, David Seymour, described the incident as deeply shocking to the community. He noted concerns that the event might resemble a premeditated terror attack. However, Seymour clarified that the incident was not planned but was instead the result of a man known to police for mental health issues.
Seymour emphasized that Epsom is a close-knit community unaccustomed to such events. He expressed hopes that those affected by the incident would recover quickly. Police have increased their presence in the area as they continue their investigation.
Auckland Transport has warned bus passengers to avoid the area, as services are temporarily suspended due to the cordon. Drivers have also reported traffic delays in the region. RNZ is seeking further information from the public and has provided an email address for additional details.