A bus driver was hospitalized with a facial injury after being assaulted by three young individuals in Auckland’s central business district on Saturday afternoon, The New Zealand Herald has reported.
The incident took place around 2.30 pm while the driver was seated inside a stationary bus at Britomart. Police confirmed the driver sustained a laceration above the eye and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to police, the alleged attackers were quickly apprehended by community officers patrolling the area and will be referred to Youth Aid services for further action.
The driver was operating the No. 70 service, which runs from Botany to Britomart. Auckland Transport (AT) stated that while the injuries are not considered serious, the driver will remain off duty to recover from what they described as an “awful attack.”
“Any abuse or attacks towards our bus drivers is unacceptable,” AT said in a statement to the Herald. “They work hard so Aucklanders can move around their city and they deserve to have a safe workplace."
A witness who shared the incident on social media said the driver was seen “sitting outside the bus with a bleeding head,” drawing concern from passersby.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.