Two youths arrested after Auckland street attack, off-duty policewoman tended critically-injured man

An off-duty police officer raced to help a man found critically injured on an Auckland footpath after an alleged street attack.

Police said two youths were arrested after the alleged assault on a Mt Wellington residential street last night.

A Meadow St resident said his niece, an off-duty police constable, rushed to help after neighbourhood children alerted her to a man who was being attacked.

The policewoman lives about three houses from the attack.

“The kids know she’s here, so they just came straight up.”

A neighbour who helped the moments after the incident said she first saw the attack on her CCTV camera, which was delayed by a few seconds. .

When she went outside, the attackers had already fled, and the man was lying unconscious, foaming at the mouth and covered in blood.

With the help of the off-duty policewoman, the victim was placed in a recovery position while they spoke to emergency services over the phone.

The neighbour said he did not seem to be responding to pain. She could not tell where the bleeding was coming from.

“He was making this noise, like snorey breathing.”

She described Meadow St as usually safe, filled with proactive neighbours who looked out for one another.

“I think the worst part, now that I know [the victim] will recover… is that we still have those troublesome kids around, they don’t seem like they have anything better to do.”

Police are investigating after a man was found with critical injuries on the roadside on Meadow St in Mt Wellington.

Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said she saw three men walking down Meadow St towards the alleyway at the end of the road.

She claimed five people dressed in black clothing, some carrying knives, then rushed the group. Two of them ran off, but one was swarmed.

“They were punching and kicking him until he was unconscious and swearing at him - one even kicked him in the stomach.”

She said the group then ran off towards the alleyway, and other neighbours went to the victim’s aid.

One neighbour told the Herald there had previously been instances of cars on the street being stolen.

“But this is the first time there’s been a rumble on the street.”

Residents had previously worked together to successfully lobby for a streetlight at the lower end of the street, he said.

“As a street we now need to pull together and get the council to put in a [surveillance] camera.”

Counties Manukau West area response manager Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey confirmed the man was found unconscious on Meadow St, Mt Wellington at 7.26pm.

“He was initially transported to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition but is now stable.”

Albrey said two youths had been arrested referred to Youth Aid.

“If anyone can assist our enquiries, they can update Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250902/2332.”