Armed police swarm Auckland train: Witness claims man threatened to kill passengers, punched conductor

Armed police rushed to a train at Ōtāhuhu Station after reports of loud and threatening comments being made by a man.

A man shouted threatening remarks and racial slurs and punched an Auckland Transport employee, prompting armed police to swarm a train this afternoon, a witness says.

Police were contacted shortly before 1pm after reports that a man was making “loud, threatening comments” at Ōrākei Train Station, prior to boarding a southbound train.

The commuter who raised the alarm with police and wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald they boarded the Eastern Line service at Britomart Station before the man sat down a few seats over.

“[He] started aggressively shouting he has a gun and a bomb and was threatening to kill everyone on the train.”

The witness said they went to find and inform one of the train conductors, who went to talk to the man.

“The guy punched the train conductor straight in the face,” they claimed.

The Herald has approached AT for comment on the alleged assault of an employee.

In a recording of the incident supplied to the Herald, a man can be heard shouting racist and threatening remarks.

“I’ll f***ing put a gun to your head, bang,” the man says.

The witness said the man made a gun gesture with his fingers, pointed it at them and other passengers, and proceeded to yell, “Bang”.

“It was pretty shocking. I’ve never been in that situation before.

“I’d say New Zealand is quite a safe and sheltered place from that stuff, like it only really happens in the movies... it felt like an out-of-body experience to actually experience it.

“I’d say my heart was beating pretty fast. No one else said anything, everyone kind of just tolerated it.”

They said multiple passengers either disembarked the train or moved seats to get away from the man.

The train continued towards Ōtāhuhu Train Station, where it was stopped and searched by police.

A witness told the Herald heavily armed police were seen entering the station and boarding one of the trains parked on the tracks.

However, police said they subsequently became aware the subject of the report had left the train at Glen Innes.

Police said they had since spoken to a person in the Glen Innes area and wanted to reassure the public there was no cause for concern.

“Police must take these reports seriously and officers were armed as a precaution. A thorough inspection of the train was carried out and police thank the public and AT for their help in safely resolving this matter.”

Inquiries were continuing, they said.

AT earlier warned the public to expect delays and cancellations on the Southern and Eastern lines.

“The Southern and Eastern Lines experienced some delays and a train service from Britomart to Manukau was cancelled,” a spokesperson told the Herald.

“Normal train services have now resumed but it’s possible some delays may still occur as the network recovers.”

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