Witnesses stunned at mass road rage incident

Several cars were involved in the incident. Photo / Thinkstock

Police are searching for the occupants of several cars involved in a road rage incident that left a man with a broken arm and facial injuries.

"We are still not entirely sure at this stage what has sparked it," Detective John McGregor of the Napier CIB said of Sunday's incident in Napier.

Detectives had spoken to the injured driver, a 54-year-old local man, and his passenger who was not seriously injured, but were still working to establish a motive for the attack.

It began about 2.20pm in Taradale when up to five cars started pursuing the man's station wagon.

"It is very alarming to have something like this happen in the middle of the day," Mr McGregor said.

The pursuit ended a short time later when one of the chasing cars got in front of the victim's and struck its front, while another vehicle rammed into the back.

Several occupants then got out and took to the driver with what police described as "crowbars and other weapons".

The attack was witnessed by several other stunned drivers.

'We have spoken to about four people so far who witnessed it but there were others in that area and we would like to hear from them."

One in particular police want to hear from is a woman who stopped and briefly spoke to an officer at the scene.

The driver was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital for treatment, but was released later in the day.

The passenger was not badly injured as the group appeared more intent on attacking the driver.