‘Assault incident’ at Z petrol station in Papatoetoe leaves two injured, one critically

Two groups were fighting on a petrol station forecourt before two people were injured - one critically, a witness says.

Emergency services were called to Z Hunter’s Corner in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe just before 1.20pm in what police described as an “assault incident” involving a weapon.

They wouldn’t describe the weapon but said it wasn’t a firearm.

A woman who saw the frightening act of violence unfold at the petrol station on East Tamaki Rd told the Herald a “sharp” weapon was involved.

She wasn’t able to describe the weapon further.

“[Those hurt] were really badly injured ... we were in shock.”

The incident involved two groups - a man and woman in one and four people in the other - but she didn’t know what it was about.

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One person was been taken to hospital with critical injuries and the other with moderate injuries, police said.

Two ambulances were sent to help the injured pair, a Hato Hone St John Ambulance spokeswoman said.

Both were taken to Middlemore Hospital.

No one from Z could immediately be contacted.

Police said anyone with information should contact them online at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105, referencing job number P060475788.

Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.