
A 14-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid Services for aggravated wounding following a carjacking incident in Henderson on Sunday that resulted in an elderly Chinese woman losing her pinky finger.
The woman, aged in her early 60s, was understood to have finished her swim at West Wave Pool and Leisure Centre in Alderman Drive when her car was carjacked at about 6.30pm outside the centre.
Police attended a report of a vehicle being stolen at about 6.30pm and said the woman鈥檚 hand was caught in the car door during the process, which left her seriously injured.
A witness told the Herald that he saw at least one of the woman鈥檚 fingers missing and 鈥渢here was blood everywhere鈥�.
Ethnic liaison officers visited the woman at her house yesterday.
鈥淧olice are continuing to support the victim who is recovering well at home,鈥� a police spokeswoman said.
鈥淣o one else is being sought in relation to this incident.鈥�
The victim had been taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident on Sunday, police said.
Members of the West Wave Centre assisted police with translations on Sunday.
The witness said police had searched the car park for the missing finger part but could not find anything.
He believed the finger could have been caught in the door of the car as the carjacker drove off.
Henderson-Massey Local Board member Peter Chan said the incident was 鈥渁n unfortunate one鈥� and that thoughts are with the victim.
鈥淚 do not believe there is ongoing danger to others visiting the facility,鈥� Chan said.
鈥淭his is just an unfortunate, isolated incident.鈥�
Matt Nash, Auckland Council leisure services manager said the incident involved a person being injured in the course of a vehicle allegedly being stolen.
鈥淎 pool centre staff member called emergency services, and staff members administered first aid to the victim before Hato Hone St John and NZ Police arrived at the site,鈥� Nash said.
鈥淥ur thoughts are with the victim, and we wish them a speedy recovery.鈥�
He said the safety of customers and staff were of utmost priority and the council strongly condemned any instances of violent or illegal behaviour at its centres.
, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeartRadio app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeartRadio is easy to use and all FREE