Mother steps in to save son in hammer attack

A Waihi mother waded in to help her son when she saw him being attacked by two men with hammers. File photo / Thinkstock

Andrea Windleborn did not hesitate when she saw her son being attacked by two men with hammers - she waded in to try and save him.

Carl McGahan, 22, disturbed the two offenders attempting to break into a shed at their home in the Coromandel town of Waihi, on Monday night.

Ms Windleborn, 44, told the Waikato Times she acted on instinct when she ran between the men to help her son.

"I saw these two guys attacking him. I went flying out to protect him even though they were bigger than me.'' Ms Windleborn said.

She stood between the men and yelled at them to stop, but it did not stop one of them hitting her with a hammer.

"The next thing the other man came at my head from side on while I was busy trying to get the other man away from my son.''

Ms Windleborn and her son were treated at hospital but are now at home recovering.

Police picked up one of the men but are still looking for the other.

Eli Te Moananui of Paeroa, 20, appeared in Hamilton District Court yesterday on two charges of injuring with intent and one of aggravated burglary. He was remanded in custody.

- NZPA