Whangarei teen spends weeks in coma after assault

The teen had left Whangarei Central Baptist church and began walking along Manse St to WBHS' Carruth boarding hostel.

A Whangarei Boys' High School boarding student is in a coma in Auckland Hospital two weeks after being assaulted on his way home from a church youth group.

The teenager had been returning from the Whangarei Central Baptist Church to the school's Carruth House boarding hostel - where he stays during term - when he was assaulted.

The teen was allegedly attacked by three or four assailants in Manse St.

He was taken by ambulance to Whangarei Hospital and from there was rushed to Auckland, where he remains in an induced coma.

Whangarei Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett confirmed police were carrying out an assault investigation but did not want to issue information about the events or severity of the assault at this stage.

Any information from the public would be welcome, she said.

Police are reluctant to speak with media about the alleged attack by three or four assailants in Manse St, near the Regent supermarkets, on the evening of September 9.

Before the attack the boy had been at the Wednesday night church youth group which he regularly attends.

Pastor Stephen Battye, from Whangarei Central Baptist Church, said he only found out a few days after the attack that the boy had been hurt and was seriously ill. He said the church was now working with the police to piece together a timeline that might cast light on events leading to the alleged attack.

Mr Battye described the injured boy as "an awesome guy, a really nice, well-liked boy".

The church took measures to ensure young people attending church activities were accounted for at all times while they were there, he said. They included members having to sign-in and sign-out, and a patrol of the grounds and environs by parents and church members.

The news had quickly ricocheted around the school's students, and Whangarei Boys' High School staff were officially informed by principal Karen Smith last week. Ms Smith was unavailable to speak with the Northern Advocate before edition time yesterday.