'Unruly tourists' crash car in Māngere: 'People were calling me gypsy scum'

The group of unruly tourists who crashed their car in Māngere say they were distracted by people yelling "gypsy scum" at their vehicle.

Witnesses at the scene said the van went over the median barrier at the end of Thomas Rd and Massey Rd.

They said the British tourists caused quite a scene as they took all their belongings from the car and proceeded to walk along the road.

They were said to be yelling at each other, and carrying bags and a child's car seat.

The Herald tracked down the group after the incident.

"People were shouting at us and I look back and hit a kerb," the older man said about the crash this morning.

"I punctured the wheel of the car," he said.

Another of the group, Joe Doran, told the Herald: "People were calling me gypsy scum and my father crashed the motor over people calling me gypsy scum."

The car the family have used to travel the country crashed in Auckland this afternoon, with two adults and a young child seen leaving the crash site. Photo / Doug Sherring

The Honda Odyssey which the group of unruly tourists crashed this afternoon. Photo / Doug Sherring.

The car has now been abandoned at the bottom of Thomas Rd, with two flat tyres and the passenger airbag blown.

Members of the 'unruly tourist' group were seen fleeing the scene. Photo / Doug Sherring

Members of the 'unruly tourist' group were seen fleeing the scene. Photo / Doug Sherring

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Earlier today police charged a 26-year-old British man with assault at Takapuna Beach over an alleged incident involving a vehicle on the same day that unruly tourists began their hellraising.

The man has been charged with assault with a weapon and reckless driving, police say.

The man is due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.

Krista Curnow was at Takapuna Beach on January 13 when the alleged incident unfolded.
She alleged a car veered towards her and the British driver tried to take her cellphone while she tried to take a picture of the car's licence plate.

The Honda Odyssey which the group of unruly British tourists crashed today in Auckland. Photo / NZME

She was pleased to hear police had taken action and followed through, she said.

A family of British tourists made headlines around the world since a video emerged of rubbish being strewn on a Takapuna Beach reserve, a court appearance for theft, refusal to pay for food or services, as well as hectoring hospitality staff.

Four people, believed to be part of the 15 or so unruly tourists, have already been served a deportation liability notice (DLN) as a result of an incident at Burger King in Hamilton.

Tina Maria Cash, 26, appeared in court the next day and pleaded guilty to two charges of theft and was also issued a DLN.