Police are patrolling motorway overbridges in response to disturbing reports of rocks being thrown onto cars on an Auckland motorway.
One taxi driver's car is off the road with a shattered windscreen after someone threw a large stone onto his vehicle on Thursday, smashing through the front window and striking him on the shoulder.
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The car was travelling at 85km/h, Co-op taxi director Harpreet Bhullar told NZME, meaning contact with driver Balkar Singh's head could well have ended his life.
KiwiRail has confirmed one of their employees was in the car at the time of the incident, but it was wasn't an executive, as other media reported.
Police, who were called to the incident at about 4:30pm on Thursday, say they have received several reports of youths throwing stones from overbridges in Mangere, south Auckland.
The bridges in question are the Montgomery Rd and Kirkbridge Rd footbridges, and Bader Dr overbridge - though no offenders have been caught.
Police say so far, only the one vehicle has been struck by rocks - but they say they are taking the matter seriously, and issued a warning to anyone considering such behaviour that their actions "will not be tolerated".
They say they have increased patrols and vigilance around motorway overbridges in the wake of the rock-throwing incidents. They have also spoken to a number of youths to "warn them against the dangers of taking part in this reckless activity".
People with information on the recent offences, or who witness similar behaviour in the future, have been urged to contact police immediately.
Newshub.
