Latest news with #AshGurney
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Operation Purple - Anti-Social Road User Gathering In Levin
Inspector Ash Gurney, Manawatū Area Prevention Manager: Ten people were arrested during a large anti-social road user event in the Levin and Palmerston North areas overnight, which saw five members of the public and two Police officers injured. Police were out on the streets overnight with plans in place to keep the gathering in check, including air support from the Police Eagle helicopter, however faced physical attacks on the ground from those present. A crowd of around 1000 people gathered in Levin late last night, many performing burnouts and other driving offences. Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against Police who were attempting to break up the gathering. Two Police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation. Five people were arrested at this location and will face Levin District Court in coming days, on disorderly behaviour and driving charges. The large group then moved to the State Highway 57/Tavistock Road intersection, where Police were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts. A pedestrian bystander was hit by a car doing a burnout. People and vehicles blocking the roads delayed an ambulance getting to this person, forcing Police to employ tactical options - including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd- to allow it through. During this period, several Police vehicle were damaged and had tyres slashed. Police moved this crowd on, which then moved to the intersection of State Highway 56 and Tiakitahuna Road. Further burnouts and unsafe driving took place, and four bystanders – aged 16-20 years old - were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over. The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries. The Police Eagle helicopter assisted staff on the ground in tracking one of the drivers who hit the bystanders. The 18-year-old man was taken into custody after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers, and he is due in Levin District Court on Tuesday on a range of serious charges. Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city where the group set up again around 2am – numbers were estimated at around 200 by this stage. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight. Several other instances of single vehicles seen doing skids and burnouts in the Levin area were identified by officers over the next hour or so, with the Police Eagle helicopter proving invaluable in giving officers on the ground relevant information. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' Inspector Gurney says. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured,' Inspector Gurney says. Police intend to hold everyone identified as having committed an offence to account, with the Eagle helicopter proving vital in helping gather relevant information to help us follow up. Officers will have staff deployed from Central District and from Wellington ready to respond to any potential further activity this weekend.
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Levin boy racers: Seven injured, 10 arrested as woman's legs run over
'Fireworks, physical aggression and a vehicle were all used against police who were attempting to break up the gathering,' said Manawatū area prevention manager Inspector Ash Gurney. 'Two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks [but] did not require hospitalisation. 'Five people were arrested at this location and will face Levin District Court in coming days on disorderly behaviour and driving charges.' Gurney said the large group then moved to the State Highway 57/Tavistock Rd intersection, where police were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including cars doing a number of burnouts. A pedestrian bystander was hit by a car doing a burnout. 'People and vehicles blocking the roads delayed an ambulance getting to this person, forcing police to employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd – to allow it through. 'During this period, several police vehicles were damaged and had tyres slashed.' Gurney said the crowd then moved to the intersection of SH56 and Tiakitahuna Rd. 'Further burnouts and unsafe driving took place, and four bystanders – aged 16-20 years old – were hit by cars. 'One female had both of her legs run over. 'The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries.' The Police Eagle helicopter helped officers on the ground to track one of the drivers who hit the bystanders. 'The 18-year-old man was taken into custody after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers and he is due in Levin District Court on Tuesday on a range of serious charges. 'Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city where the group set up again around 2am – numbers were estimated at around 200 by this stage. 'The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight.' Gurney said several other instances of single vehicles doing skids and burnouts in the Levin area were identified by officers over the next hour or so, with the Police Eagle helicopter giving officers on the ground relevant information. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' said Gurney. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour, which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no police officers were seriously injured. 'Police intend to hold everyone identified as having committed an offence to account, with the Eagle helicopter proving vital in helping gather relevant information to help us follow up. 'Officers will have staff deployed from Central District and from Wellington ready to respond to any potential further activity this weekend.' Earlier, a video posted to TikTok showed multiple cars doing burnouts, tyres squealing amid fireworks and large crowds, most waving their arms and whooping in delight – and some getting close to spinning vehicles. 'Oh my God, this is scary stuff,' said one woman. 'It's f***** hectic, eh' said the man filming, adding at one point 'the police are coming'. Flashing red and blue lights could be seen in the video, and others later posted online that there had been 'major police action' in Oxford St, which is the SH1 route through Levin. 'People with knives and hatchets, riot police out, police Eagle helicopter overhead. Police drones out too. AVOID LEVIN TOWN,' a person wrote in a post to the Traffic Updates – Horowhenua Facebook page just before 11pm. 'Hundreds of vehicles invading the town, mainly Bath and Oxford streets, Levin New World area, a few arrests have been made.' A video posted on YouTube showed officers wearing full-length riot shields and walking in formation through the streets of central Levin. A post on the Traffic Fox Facebook page described 'hundreds of car enthusiasts, or 'boy racers'/ little s***s converged on Levin and tried to close off the main highway doing burnouts and skids, police were prepared and stopped a lot of it'. 'Yet bottles were smashed, rubber was laid, a couple of people were arrested for carrying weapons, riot police were out in force, cars were rammed etc. Even the Police Eagle helicopter was brought down from Auckland!' The boy racers dispersed about 11pm on to SH57 to head north and were 'hanging out on the back roads out of Levin', they wrote. A person was taken to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition after an incident involving a vehicle on Wallace Rd, near Levin, at 11.50pm, a Hato Hone St John Ambulance spokeswoman said. NZTA warned motorists at the time to expect delays because of an incident on SH57 Kōputaroa near the intersection of Wallace Rd, which is about 6km north of Levin. Ambulance crews were also sent to an incident involving a vehicle further north on Tiakitahuna Rd (SH56) an hour later, but no patient was found at the scene, the Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said. The Herald was not able to immediately confirm with emergency responders whether the incidents were related to the earlier disorder in Levin. Community response A late-night caller to Newstalk ZB said they could hear a helicopter 'buzzing round'. 'I'm 2km away and [the] smell from boy racers' cars is shocking. Some racing down other streets also.' Another Levin caller, Bianca, described the behaviour as 'disgusting'. 'People should feel safe in their own town. I don't think [the boy racers] will care if someone is killed. I really don't think they care.' Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said he understood the 'concern and disruption that last night's unlawful gathering' caused residents. 'This behaviour has no place in our communities.' He acknowledged the 'significant planning and swift response' of police and other emergency services 'to keep our people and our roads safe'. 'Their work helped prevent a repeat of last year's dangerous and unacceptable events. 'We stand with our community in calling for respectful behaviour and will continue to work alongside police to support efforts that deter and address this kind of activity.' Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden says he hopes police will respond strongly to a planned boy racer meet in Levin this weekend. Boy racers and anti-social car meet-ups 'aren't wanted in our town or in our region', with people seriously injured by their 'idiotic behaviour' at previous events, Ōtaki MP Tim Costley said. Young people were wanted in Horowhenua and Kāpiti, but in productive jobs that add to the community rather than taking part in dangerous anti-social behaviour, Costley said. 'These people aren't good drivers, they're not good enough to pull off the dangerous stunts they attempt, skidding cars next to bystanders. 'They disrupt our peace, they vandalise our town, and they don't belong here.' He praised police for bringing the disorder to a quick end through a 'well-planned and prepared police operation'. 'Block the pigs' The self-proclaimed car enthusiasts' pre-planned event comes a year after another meet in Levin where a crowd of more than 200 people turned violent, hurling projectiles at police, injuring two officers. Wanden said yesterday he'd spoken to police, who were preparing to respond to any disorder. '[The boy racers] think they've got the right to do this, it's just astonishing. They're just winding the community up – and we've had a gutsful.' He understood the meet was being organised 'in memory' of last year's, 'which is sad to see'. Wanden's hope for a strong police response was at odds with the attitude of the organiser of last year's meet, who had a blunt response to Police Minister Mark Mitchell's then-threats of tougher laws, going on TV and telling the minister to 'get f***ed'. The anonymous organiser also vowed on 1 News to invade Levin again. A Facebook post announcing this weekend's Levin invasion said: 'Bring the numbers and in return y'all get a show'. 'Block the pigs at all costs.' The coalition Government has signalled a tougher stance against boy racers, with new laws on the way enabling police to confiscate and destroy boy racers' cars. Two police officers were injured after they were pelted with rocks, bottles and bricks while responding to a boy racer meet-up in Levin on June 1 last year. Photo / New Zealand Police Police were ready to respond with 'proactive enforcement' this weekend, Mitchell said yesterday. 'Police do an outstanding job at disrupting these events. This Government has zero tolerance for the reckless behaviour and disruption boy racers inflict on our communities ... we're taking action to deter and crack down on this dangerous and inconsiderate behaviour.' Police were aware of 'a number' of anti-social road-user gatherings around the country this weekend, and wouldn't tolerate behaviour endangering others and damaging roads and property. 'Police ... have plans in place to help ensure safety for all. This activity carries huge risk for those who take part and who observe, and is concerning and distressing to members of the public.' Two police officers were injured after they were pelted with rocks, bottles and bricks while responding to last year's meet-up. About 30 police officers, armed with riot shields, were on the scene where more than 200 cars and their occupants had gathered. Attendees themselves were also injured, with at least one man getting hit by a car as it did a burnout while others set off firecrackers. It was a miracle no one watching the burnouts was killed, resident Guy Morgan said last year. Not only was the crowd that circled the main SH1 intersection in Levin in danger of being hit by the out-of-control sliding cars, but at least 15 people had climbed on to shop facades. 'There was a guy hanging out the window and he could have easily been cut in half. It was that moronic. One of those arrested was allegedly found carrying a flick knife, another allegedly wearing a stab-proof vest, Police Inspector Ross Grantham said last year. And his officers were put at serious risk by the aggressive behaviour of many involved, he said. 'This is incredibly concerning, as it indicates that the crowd was not just car enthusiasts, but included people out to deliberately provoke, aggravate and endanger.' Skid marks left a large group of cars did burnouts during a car meet in Levin. Photo / Dallas Puha Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
4 days ago
- 1News
Arrests after Levin boy racer event injures police, spectators
Ten people have been arrested after police and spectators were injured following a boy racer event involving around 1000 people in Levin and Palmerston North overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford St and Bath St at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. "Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against police who were attempting to break up the gathering," Manawatū Area Prevention Manager Inspector Ash Gurney said. ADVERTISEMENT Spectators crowd the Oxford/Bath Street intersection as boy racers did burnouts yesterday evening. (Source: 1News) "Two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation." By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Five people were arrested and will appear in the Levin District Court in the coming days on disorderly behaviour and driving charges. Five bystanders struck by cars doing burnouts ADVERTISEMENT The group then moved to the intersection of State Highway 57 and Tavistock Rd, where police "were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts", Gurney said. A bystander was struck by a car doing a burnout. An ambulance attempting to get to the pedestrian was delayed by people and vehicles and blocking the roads, Gurney said, leading police to "employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd – to allow it through". Several police vehicles were damaged and had tyres slashed during this period, he said. The crowd then moved to the intersection of SH56 and Tiakitahuna Rd, where "further burnouts and unsafe driving took place". Gurney said four bystanders – aged 16 to 20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries. One driver who struck the bystanders was tracked by the police Eagle helicopter. An 18-year-old man was taken into custody "after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers". He is due to appear in the Levin District Court on Tuesday on a raft of serious charges. Diesel poured on intersection Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city, where the group – which had dwindled to an estimated 200 people – set up again around 2am. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight. ADVERTISEMENT Over the next hour, "several other instances" of single vehicles doing skids and burnouts were identified by officers. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' Gurney said. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured." Gurney said staff will be deployed from Central District and Wellington to respond to "any potential further activity" this weekend. 'This behaviour has no place in our communities' - mayor In a post to Facebook this morning, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said he understood the "concern and disruption" that last night's event had caused for the community. ADVERTISEMENT "This behaviour has no place in our communities. I want to acknowledge the significant planning and swift response by police and emergency services to keep our people and our roads safe," he said. "Their work helped prevent a repeat of last year's dangerous and unacceptable events." Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000. - Additional reporting by Abbey Wakefield
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man bitten by unruly passenger on Delta flight says he tried to help restrain him
A passenger who was bitten by another man on a Delta Air Lines flight spoke for the first time about what led to the incident. Ash Gurney was on Delta Flight 501 that left Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Gurney said the flight was 25 minutes from landing at Los Angeles International Airport when the person sitting next to him pointed out something happening toward the back of the plane. 'So, I kind of turned around, I was in the aisle seat. And, basically I could see, you know, people scuffling on the ground. And, someone looked up the aisle and said, 'Help.' So I kind of like took my seatbelt off and, and ran down to help,' Gurney told Channel 2′s ABC affiliate KABC. Gurney said the unruly passenger 'wasn't in control of himself' and that he and several others tried to help restrain him. 'And the first two, the restraints broke, but we got the third one on, and as I put the third one on, I was kind of, had him in a bear hug, and that's when he bit me,' Gurney told KABC. TRENDING STORIES: Delta flight forced to turn back to Atlanta over 'cabin pressurization issue' Ford recalls Bronco, Edge, Explorer, and F-150 vehicles due to engine problem Georgians could be missing out on $33M in tax refunds. Here's how you could get part of it After the plane landed, paramedics took the man, who has not been identified, to a hospital for a psychological evaluation. The Federal Aviation Administration is handling the investigation. A Delta spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News that the airline 'has zero tolerance for unruly behavior' and has 'cooperated with law enforcement on their investigation.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
