Man admits assaulting firefighters

Mathew Hill Tamakehu pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on fire-fighters. Photo / Otago Daily Times

A passenger in a crashed vehicle "swung punches" at two firefighters trying to help other injured passengers, a court in Alexandra has been told.

Mathew Hill Tamakehu, a shed hand, of Alexandra, today (Eds: Thursday) pleaded guilty in the District Court to two counts of assault on fire-fighters at Cromwell on November 11 this year.

Judge Kevin Phillips remanded the 54-year-old for sentencing on February 25 to allow restorative justice to be carried out.

Prosecutor Sergeant Penny Stratford said Tamakehu was able to walk away from the crash in the Kawarau Gorge, which severely injured two other passengers.

The group had been drinking since about 2pm and left Alexandra to drive to Queenstown, but the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier about 1km north of the Roaring Meg at 9.30pm.

Emergency services were called. A front seat passenger was trapped in the vehicle and the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to help.

The firefighters were trying to assist but were obstructed by Tamakehu, who was sitting in the driver's seat hindering their work, Ms Stratford told the court.

Tamakehu became abusive and started swinging punches, hitting one firefighter in the ribs, taking his breath away, and hitting another firefighter on the chin. They had no lasting injuries as a result of the assault, she said.

The defendant had to be restrained until police arrived at the scene. He declined to make any comment to officers about the incident.

Judge Phillips asked for emotional harm reports and remanded Tamakehu on bail.

While on bail, he was not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs, or associate with the assault victims, the judge said.

Justine Baird appeared as duty counsel and said Tamakehu opposed an in-court photograph being taken and wanted to get a lawyer to make written submissions about it.

But Judge Phillips said the case was a matter of public interest because of the high level of publicity about the incident, and granted permission for the Otago Daily Times to take a photo.