Two bystanders injured by car at Invercargill boy racer gathering

Police and the mayor of Invercargill have both urged the public to report boy racers after two people were injured during a gathering near Invercargill on Saturday.

Officers were called to the intersection of State Highway 1 and Mill Road North after receiving reports of boy racer activity at about 11.30pm, Southland’s road policing manager acting Senior Sergeant Blair Shirley said.

About 50 vehicles were reported to be at the scene before moving to Lorne Dacre Rd prior to police arrival, Shirley said.

It was here that Shirley said a vehicle, believed to have been deliberately skidding, crashed into bystanders at about 11.50pm, injuring two people.

One person was taken to hospital by people at the scene with lower-body injuries, he said.

The group dispersed as police arrived, but the vehicle involved in the incident was impounded and the driver spoken to.

“This offending occurs too often, and this incident is a good example of the risk this behaviour puts on the lives of not only the people involved, but the bystanders and the community,” Shirley said.

“If you choose to put yourself, your passengers and bystanders lives at risk by engaging in this activity, police will work hard to identify you and stop you in your tracks.”

Police understood the community was frustrated with boy racer incidents in the area and officers were working hard to identify and find those involved in the gatherings.

However, Shirley urged the public to share any information, such as sightings of activity, with police as officers continued to work to disrupt boy racer activity and identify people involved.

“If you have any footage, or information that may be able to assist police in identifying those involved in this activity please contact police via 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 if it’s after the fact,” Shirley said.

“Alternatively you can report any information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The appeal for information on boy racer activity had been backed by the mayor of Invercargill, who said he’d seen the damage first hand.

Mayor Nobby Clark said the group’s movements showed how easily they could relocate as soon as they knew police were onto them.

“As members of the community, we’ve got to be sharp.

“People travelling around the city will see the buildup of cars and their activities, and we just need to report it as quickly as possible,” Clark said.

“Because without that knowledge, the police have got nothing to go on, and end up with a fatal accident or somebody being seriously hurt.”

Clark said he had received a number of reports from people talking about the damage boy racers had done.

“I’ve seen it in Otatara where I live, and I’ve seen it out towards Sandy Point. Masses on masses of tyre marks on the road, and worn out rubber ... not an ideal situation.”