Wheelie bin rides slammed

NEARLY 17 years after a 19yearold University of Otago student was killed while riding in a wheelie bin down a Dunedin street, police are horrified to discover students are at it again.

Acting Senior Sergeant Trevor Thomson, of Dunedin, said police were called to Warrender St about 1.20am yesterday, following complaints about people sliding down the street in wheelie bins.

In March 2001, Ana Louise North, a physical education student, died instantly when she and a friend smashed into a parked trailer while riding in a wheelie bin down Baldwin St.

The ride left her male friend, Lindsay Peter Roxburgh, in Dunedin Hospital with serious head injuries.

The pair took the wheelie bin from another part of town, pushed it Baldwin St and laid it on its side, before getting in and riding it like a sledge.

Acting Sen Sgt Thomson said police yesterday spoke to three people, one of whom was arrested for crashing into a parked car.

The male student, in his late teens, was charged with wilful damage and disorderly behaviour.

‘‘We suggest that it is definitely not a good thing to do on the roads, especially after that terrible accident in Baldwin St,’’ Acting Sen Sgt Thomson said.

‘‘That sort of behaviour is not acceptable. Our tolerance for that is very, very low.

‘‘It’s not only putting themselves in danger, it’s putting other people in danger.’’

Noone was injured. A university spokeswoman said police had not reported the incident to the proctor’s office.

‘‘But if students were brought to the proctor for that particular activity, they would be subject to our code of conduct.

‘‘That sort of activity is dangerous and needs to be discouraged.’’

john.lewis@odt.co.nz