Biker gang assault: Sufferer vital; police ask for footage

A revving swarm of rampaging patched-up bikie gang members left a path of motorway terror throughout a mass experience that left a bashed motorist critically injured in hospital.

Detectives are calling for witnesses and dashcam and cellphone footage as they choose up the items and observe down males who assaulted a ute driver on the Waikato Expressway about 4.45pm on Friday.

Tonight, the sufferer remains to be in hospital in a vital however steady situation.

It was initially reported that the person had been dragged from his automobile – however police have now clarified to say that he had stopped and received out, simply earlier than he was “assaulted by a gaggle of individuals”.

A witness has beforehand stated that one of many riders was clipped by a ute, however when the automobile’s occupants stopped to verify on the rider they have been attacked.

Police additionally confirmed that no firearms have been concerned.

“We’re working arduous to piece collectively what occurred previous to our sufferer being assaulted, and to finally determine these immediately concerned,” stated Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson.

Patterson stated the assaulted man and his whānau are being supplied with assist.

Police thanked those that have already uploaded footage of yesterday’s incident however say any extra digital recordings may be uploaded through this hyperlink right here: rangiriri.nzpolice.org.

“Whereas we’ve investigators reviewing the data supplied by the neighborhood to this point, we need to guarantee we’ve entry to as a lot footage as potential,” Patterson stated.

Reviews flooded into police on Friday afternoon of as much as 80 Tribesmen bikes and vehicles in an aggressive procession.

It’s understood the Tribesmen have been returning to Auckland from Taupō after a nationwide gathering and patching ceremony.

Witnesses say they have been terrorising motorists, using three and 4 abreast, slicing throughout lanes, crossing the centreline, recklessly overtaking, yelling, and blocking roads, roundabouts, and petrol stations. One video even confirmed a biker on the incorrect aspect of the motorway.

Reviews of reckless behaviour got here from Tira, Karapiro, Tamahere, Hamilton, Manukau, and Otara.

One witness instructed the Herald that simply south of Rangiriri, they noticed a ute driving north on the expressway in the direction of Auckland on Friday, trailed by what regarded like gang members.

“I noticed a [ute] and possibly 60 or 70 motorbikes behind them; it regarded like they have been on a patrol,” they stated.

“I believe the [ute] tried to tug over and he ran one of many head followers into the grass contained in the motorway.

“Then he pulled over and opened up his door, and I noticed three or 4 of the entrance folks get off their motorbikes and stroll over to the ute.”

The witness stated he did not see what occurred subsequent.

They stated one of many riders was clipped by the automobile, however when the automobile’s occupants stopped to verify on the rider they have been attacked.

One lady was handed by about 30-40 bikes “roaring previous at a ridiculous pace” when she noticed somebody operating throughout visitors, showing to be chased.

“Everybody swerved to keep away from him. He was shirtless,” she stated.

“We drove previous a purple ute which was stationary with a smashed windscreen and an individual was laying on the bottom with wounds.”

One other driver says bikies tried to pressure him off the street at Karapiro however he held his line.

“I cannot be intimidated. They took evasive motion to the alternative aspect of the street and continued into oncoming visitors at excessive pace,” he stated.

The Tribesmen Bike Membership was based within the Bay of Lots city of Murupara in 1980 and was one of many first organised teams to push methamphetamine in New Zealand. It nonetheless has a chapter in Murupara, however has branched out throughout the nation, with different gang-pads in Otara, Northland, Rotorua, and Christchurch.

The gang has a historical past of incident-filled mass rides.

Freshly-patched Tribesmen member, 21-year-old Merc Papa-Hugh Lei-Tama Maumasi-Rihari died in November 2020 after hitting a automotive on State Freeway 1 in North Canterbury whereas using in a northbound convoy of round 70 fellow gang members.

His funeral procession triggered extra chaos, with greater than 200 tickets being issued and bikes impounded by police responding to street complaints and burnouts.

In 2019, Dunedin police slammed the actions of a gaggle of patched Tribesmen who rode motorbikes the incorrect means up a one-way avenue, blocked roads, and ignored purple lights.

• Anybody with info can ring 105 and quote file quantity 220311/5636, or else name Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.