A serious incident occurred near the University of Auckland, where five individuals were injured, including one in a critical condition, when a car veered onto the footpath. The crash happened around midday, with witnesses reporting that the vehicle was travelling along Symonds Street when the driver lost control, mounting the curb and colliding with two pedestrians. Several students had to jump to safety to avoid being struck.
Emergency responders transported one victim to the hospital, while four others sustained varying degrees of injury. An additional person was treated on the scene for minor injuries. Witnesses, including students Luka and Mateen, recounted that the driver appeared to hit the curb, causing the car to career off the road and into a tree.
Another student, Stephen Dimapilis, described seeing the car swerving prior to the collision and noted that it seemed to be exceeding the speed limit of 40 kph. The frightening scene left him and others in shock as they witnessed the impact and the aftermath.
In the wake of the crash, police indicated that alcohol or drug use might have played a role in the incident. The area around Symonds Street was closed from Wellesley Street to Grafton Road while authorities conducted their investigation. By late afternoon, Auckland Transport announced that services impacted by the incident were returning to normal as the situation was resolved.
This alarming event has raised concerns about pedestrian safety in the area, highlighting the need for awareness regarding road conduct and safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.