A single-vehicle crash occurred on William Souter St in Forrest Hill just before 9am today, sending two people to Auckland City Hospital in critical and moderate conditions, respectively. A third person was treated at the scene for moderate injuries but declined further medical attention.
Neighbour woken by ’boom’
Witnesses described a dramatic scene, with one woman found lying on the ground and a “young girl” sustaining facial injuries. A man living nearby reported being woken by a “boom” and seeing emergency services remove a woman from the cafe on a “structure.”
Emergency services dispatched three ambulances, two rapid response units, and two operations managers to the scene, according to Hato Hone St John.
‘Nothing to indicate it’s suspicious’
Police have stated the crash appears to be an isolated incident and are not currently investigating it as suspicious. The Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Serious Crash Unit are both at the scene. William Souter St is currently closed between East Coast Rd and Morton Ave.
The crash follows a similar incident weeks earlier at Columbus Glen Innes, where a vehicle also collided with a cafe after the driver mistakenly hit the accelerator. In 2019, the same Glen Innes cafe experienced another incident of this nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries were reported in the crash?
Two people were taken to Auckland City Hospital, one in critical condition and one in moderate condition. A third person was treated at the scene for moderate injuries but declined to be taken to hospital.
Was the cafe owner injured?
The source does not state whether the cafe owner was injured in the crash.
What is the status of the road?
William Souter St is closed between East Coast Rd and Morton Ave.
As investigations continue, it remains to be seen what factors contributed to this incident and what measures, if any, might be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
