Comment permalink

A man whose cheekbone and nose were broken during a road-rage attack just 50m from his home says he never thought he would be the victim of a violent crime in Dunedin.

On Tuesday night Jared, who did not want his last name published, was driving home in Mornington when he was blocked from turning right into Galloway St from Whitby St by a car.

Shortly after, another vehicle also tried to turn into the road, effectively blocking him from both sides.

After sounding his horn and flicking his lights at the car in front of him, he tried to speak to the woman in the driver’s seat to ask her to let him through.

After asking politely the first time, Jared said he asked again and while it was not as polite, it was not aggressive.

Shortly after that two men wearing hoodies left the car and walked towards him.

‘‘I thought something was awry then so I quickly took a photo of the car and the driver, which they didn’t really appreciate.

‘‘Then I tried to lock the car door but since it’s my aunty’s car I couldn’t find the automatic lock.

‘‘Then I hear two punches on the window, then next thing I know I’m on the passenger’s side just p***ing with blood.’’

He was taken to Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department, where he was told both his cheekbone and nose were broken and might require surgery.

‘‘I was absolutely gobsmacked that this would happen here in Dunedin only 50m from my home, and these guys were so casual about it.’’

Police had taken a statement from him and the woman who was in the third vehicle during the attack, he said.

A police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made but inquiries were ongoing.