A teenager has suffered horrific injuries after a daylight assault on a bus in Auckland.
The victim was on a bus heading from Howick towards Auckland City along Pakuranga Road at 9:15am on Friday.
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Police said a woman then hopped on the bus before assaulting the victim with an object.
"This was an unprovoked assault, which left the victim with serious facial injuries," Acting Detective Senior Sergeant James Mapp said.
"The offender has alighted from the bus prior to Police arrival."
According to a witness's account that has been shared on social media, the victim, said to be 16 years old, had five of his teeth knocked out with an iron bar during the attack.
"I realised that the boy's mouth was covered in blood, his face was covered in blood, his front teeth were knocked out and he was shivering in pain," the witness said.
The witness, a 75-year-old man, said he locked the woman's neck while the victim tried to prise the bar off her.
"I continued to call out to the passengers in the back of the car to help, but they still did not move.
"All I could do was to lock my left hand around the woman's neck and hit her on the head with my mobile phone with my right hand, and finally the boy grabbed the iron rod.
"At this point, the bus stopped at a bus stop just before the Panmure train station, and the woman who committed the attack immediately fled the bus in a panic."
Police said officers are continuing to investigate the matter and are providing support to the victim.
"We understand the fear and concern events like this inflict on the community and we will continue to pursue every lead to hold this person to account," Acting Det Snr Srg Mapp said.
"Police have no tolerance for this type of crime or intimidation in our communities."
Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which may assist, to contact Police on 105 and quote file number 240628/8342. Alternatively, the public can report any information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
