KEY POINTS:
A riderless parking services scooter mowed down one pedestrian and narrowly missed several others in Dunedin yesterday after it was maliciously set loose by a member of the public.
Dunedin City Council parking officer Brian Benson said he stepped off his scooter to issue a parking ticket at 12.17pm when a grey car pulled up beside him, its occupants yelling abuse.
As he continued to issue the ticket, the car pulled over and a man got out. He twisted the throttle of the unattended scooter, which accelerated away.
The 250cc scooter, which weighs about 165kg, travelled about 160m in a straight line on its own before colliding with the pedestrian.
Mr Benson said he was unable to do anything but "scream a warning" as the scooter, travelling at an estimated 30km/h, powered off along the street.
A St John spokeswoman said the pedestrian was taken to Dunedin Hospital for treatment to a moderate head injury. A hospital spokeswoman said he was not admitted.
The scooter sustained significant damage in the incident.
Deciding that he could not help the pedestrian, Mr Benson gave chase to the offender, but lost him soon after.
When he returned to the scene, the police and an ambulance had been called and witnesses were providing descriptions and assisting the injured pedestrian.
Mr Benson said parking officers were used to verbal abuse and people had touched the scooters and pushed buttons before, but never set one off.
Police last night had not arrested anyone.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES
