NZ Police CommCens Alert 02:00 27-10-2007 Northland

Location of incident: Kaitaia

Incident Type: Arrest made in Kaitaia

Kaitaia Police have arrested a 24 yr old bushman and part time doorman following an early display of violence on Commerce st, Kaitaia on Saturday 27 October 2007 between 2 and 3 am.

Police believe two 17 yr old teenagers were attacked on Commerce st, Kaitaia following some type of altercation outside the Big Kahuna Bar. The attack continued on the opposite side of the road, with both youth being repeatedly assaulted.

The attack resulted in one of the youth sustaining serious injuries including a broken jaw and facial wounds. His injuries were treated locally but require further treatment and surgery.

The second teenager was left unconscious in the street with serious head injuries requiring him to be airlifted to Whangarei and then transferred to Auckland Hospitals Intensive care unit for neurosurgery and treatment.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson of the Kaitaia police said 'although his injuries were life threatening intially, he has responded well to surgery and is now conscious and reported to be in a stable condition. He is being supported by family and friends who have travelled to Auckland to be with him.

Police spent a full day in the main street of Kaitaia examiming the scene utilizing ESR scientists, police specialist photographers, scene examiners and scene mapping experts in their investigation. This required a number of businesses to remain closed for much of the day.

This is the type of mindless violence which we need to discourage in our community. This could have easily resulted in a homocide enquiry and it appears to be sheer luck and inner strength of the victims and support of the families that no-one died as a result of this violence' Detective Sergeant Beatson said.

Police are calling for further witnesses to come forward who were in the Commerce st, Kaitaia area, between 2 and 3 am, who may have seen the incident or assisting in treating the victims until police and ambulance help arrived.

They can contact Detective Dean Gorrie at the Kaitaia police station on 09 4086500.

ENDS

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