Family's terror at 23 minute road rage attack

File photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A family at the centre of a 23-minute road rage attack were the victims of what police described as "the worst case" of violence on Bay of Plenty roads.

The Tauranga family, two parents with their children, aged five, three and two, were subjected to a prolonged and frightening attack on Saturday while attempting to make their way to Rotorua, which continued after they had turned back to seek help.

The couple called police from their cellphone about 12.25pm after a male driver, with a young child in his vehicle, cut them off on Pyes Pa Rd near Aquinas College.

The driver of a blue Holden V8 overtook the family, cutting them off and causing them to brake.

Sergeant Lester Polglase of the Western Bay strategic traffic unit said the man then braked in front of them and when his vehicle came to a stop, he got out.

The victims drove around the vehicle, only to find the man jump back in his V8 and follow them, overtaking them and braking in front of them a second time. He again got out of his vehicle, and the victims have driven around him a second time.

The offender has then continued to follow the family to the Pyes Pa Cemetery.

Mr Polglase says at this point, the victim decided it was too dangerous to continue to Rotorua. He turned around to head back to Tauranga.

The man in the Holden followed them and forced them to drive "at speed," while also trying to ram their vehicle.

He overtook their vehicle, narrowly missing oncoming traffic, and braked in front of them again, causing their vehicle to stop.

They again drove around the man and his vehicle, a sequence of events that occurred three or four more times until the man finally reversed back towards the family's vehicle. He then turned off on to Cheyne Rd.

The family - who were on the phone to police the entire time - drove to a service station on Cameron Rd, Tauranga where they were met by police at 12.48pm.

Mr Polglase said both parents were "shaking like a leaf" and the mother was a crying.

"They were shaken and scared ... It is the worst case of road rage we [police] have encountered."

Any witnesses to the incident are urged to call Mr Polglase on 577-4300.