West Auckland Motorway Incident: A Close Call with Carjacking

West Auckland Motorway Incident: A Close Call with Carjacking

Unforeseen Incident on the Motorway

The everyday flow of traffic on the West Auckland motorway was disrupted when a man was shot by police following an attempted carjacking. The incident began when the police signaled a vehicle to stop on Te Atatū Road on the Te Atatū Peninsula. However, the man behind the wheel refused to comply, initiating a pursuit towards the Lincoln Road off-ramp.

Escalation on Lincoln Road Overbridge

The situation escalated when the man reached the Lincoln Road overbridge, stepping out of his vehicle armed with a firearm. He attempted to hijack two other vehicles, unsuccessfully, during which he was hit by one of them. Undeterred, he ran towards a truck, entering it from the passenger side and prompting the truck driver to hastily exit the vehicle.

Police Intervention and Hospitalization of the Offender

At this point, the police took decisive action, firing at the offender. This led to his surrender and subsequent hospitalization due to gunshot injuries. These injuries, while not life-threatening, required immediate attention. The police themselves transported the man to the hospital after notifying St John ambulance, who were later asked to stand down while en route.

Aftermath and Potential Consequences for the Offender

Following the unprecedented events, the police are contemplating pressing charges against the man. In line with standard procedure, they have indicated their intention to notify the Independent Police Conduct Authority. A thorough examination of the scene will also be carried out to gather all possible evidence and fully understand the sequence of events.

Initial Reports and Current Traffic Situation

Initial reports from the police stated that no one had been injured in the incident. However, motorists are still being advised to avoid the area. The off-ramp to Lincoln Road was initially closed but has now reopened for northbound traffic.

Impact on Public Transport and Ongoing Investigation

Auckland Transport has reported that bus route 110 is being rerouted to enter the motorway at Te Atatū Road. Passengers should therefore expect some delays. Despite the dramatic events and disruptions, the situation has been contained, and the authorities are conducting further investigations into the incident.