South Auckland street violence leaves trail of victims

A youth is fighting for his life and another is likely to lose the sight in one eye following another weekend of gang-related violence in South Auckland.

The latest attacks have prompted Counties Manukau police to appeal to parents to keep their children off the streets.

Between 200 and 300 youths are estimated to be roaming the streets every weekend looking for other youths to attack.

Police were called to an incident in Otara about midnight on Saturday to find a 17-year-old lying unconscious, brutally beaten about the head.

A police spokeswoman confirmed today he was not expected to survive his injuries.

Police said they believed the young man was an innocent bystander caught up in a fight between two groups.

A few hours later, in Mangere, another fight left another teen with severe facial injuries.

Police believe the 17-year-old was bashed with something that pushed his eye back into his head, and he is likely to lose the sight in that eye.

- NZPA