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An Auckland man says he is devastated after accidentally shooting his neighbour in the skull with a crossbow last week.
The 42-year-old Glen Innes victim underwent urgent surgery in Greenlane Hospital to remove the bolt from near her right eye, but it was still not known if she will lose her sight.
The 35-year-old shooter, who was still waiting to see if police intended to charge him, said he felt "really bad" about incident.
"I've gone over it 1000 times in my head," the unnamed man told the Western Leader newspaper.
"I really don't know what to say to her other than to apologise but sorry doesn't seem enough. I'd like to help her around the house," he told the newspaper.
The man also said he had sent flowers and a card but knew that was not enough.
The man had loaded the crossbow, a Christmas present, when it went off and the 40cm bolt travelled about 30 metres over he man's fence before hitting the woman as she worked in her garden.
- NZPA
