Passing driver rushes to help screaming woman

Photo / Martin Sykes

A passing driver ran into a house to rescue a woman who he had heard screaming from the street.

The Tokoroa contractor was driving to his partner's house at 6.30am yesterday to have a coffee with her before starting work when she called and said loud screams were coming from a neighbouring property.

The man, who did not want to be named, swung his green ute into the Dalmeny St driveway where the screams were coming from while his partner called police.

The screaming had stopped by the time he reached the 23-year-old woman, who had been assaulted. He said she was "very distressed" and asking for help. "It wasn't a pretty sight."

The man said his partner, who had been in her own house alone with her children when she heard the screams, had been very brave.

"Especially when other people were standing outside looking and no one would go and help. I drove up and they [neighbours] were already on the roads."

Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry of Tokoroa CIB said police had been unable to speak to the victim yesterday as she was in a serious condition at Tokoroa Hospital. He appealed to any witnesses in or around Dalmeny St, Bridge St or Baird Rd between 5.30am and 6.30am to contact Tokoroa police or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

Police cordoned off eight houses in Dalmeny St yesterday and Mr Verry pointed out the "good samaritan's" ute which remained in the cordoned area.

Police also door-knocked the entire street asking residents if they had seen or heard anything suspicious.

"We haven't arrested anyone," Mr Verry said. "We don't know who did it, have no motive and don't know why."