Firefighters attacked by drunken revellers

A volunteer firefighter was kicked in the head by drunken party goers when emergency services went to a false report of a car crash in the Marlborough Sounds this morning, say police.

The party was for an 18-year-old but police are blaming adults aged between 30 and 40 for the problems on Mahakipawa Rd in Havelock.

Emergency services responded to what was initially reported as a single vehicle crash on the road about 1.20am, said Senior Sergeant Peter Payne of Picton police.

The first to arrive was the local volunteer fire brigade. The firefighters were met by an "unruly and violent" group of people who were "grossly affected by alcohol" while attending an 18-year-old's birthday party.

"On this occasion it was not the young people that were causing problems but the adults at the party, 30-40 year old people," Mr Payne said.

Several of the firefighters were assaulted with one being knocked to the ground and kicked in the head while down, he said.

The firefighter suffered grazes to his face and moderate bruising to his arms and shoulder. "He was fortunate not to have received further more serious injury."

Police were called and after spending some time there, arrested three people. They will appear in Blenheim District Court facing various charges on October 26. More serious charges may yet be laid against those involved, Mr Payne said.

There was no car crash as first reported.

Police were "shocked and disappointed" that people would stoop to assaulting emergency services who were trying to help people who could have been seriously injured in the reported crash, Mr Payne said.

- NZPA