By PATRICK GOWER
A man's life is in the balance after a road rage attack on one of Auckland's busiest streets.
The 38-year-old suffered serious brain and internal injuries when a fight erupted after two cars collided while being parked on Quay St at lunchtime yesterday.
Staff in the critical care unit at
Auckland Hospital put him in a drug-induced coma to try to save his life.
Detective Sergeant Phil Kirkham, of Ponsonby station, said the investigation was upgraded when the police heard of the severity of the injuries. "It is a very serious step to take when two vehicles touch each other to someone being assaulted, knocked out and now in critical condition at hospital," he said.
"This is totally out of proportion to a very minor accident ... It is just another case of road rage."
Police are calling for witnesses to the attack, involving a white Toyota Corolla and a red Honda Integra.
"We know he hit the ground and the offender just drove off. Obviously he has been hit - but we're just not sure how or how many times. Our main concern is the victim and his welfare.
"Should he die, it obviously becomes quite serious.
"It's a busy time of the day," Detective Sergeant Kirkham said. "We know there was quite a lot of pedestrian traffic and there are plenty of cars on the road down there."
Police were holding a man in custody last night while considering what charges to lay.
Detective Sergeant Kirkham said that decision would be made after discussions with hospital staff.
