Police are investigating after a bus driver was reportedly tasered “completely unprovoked” by a passenger on a bus in Auckland’s Kingsland this morning.
The assault occurred after a passenger “became aggressive” while the 22N bus was stopped on New North Rd around 11.10am, police said.
“The offender assaulted the driver with a small object before running away from the bus.
“As a result, the driver suffered a small cut and has been treated.
“Police are following lines of inquiry into this matter.”
University student Abdelrahman Elattar had been commuting from Morningside to the University of Auckland when he noticed a person on board who appeared to be intoxicated.
“As the bus stopped on New North Rd, he approached the exit of the bus next to the driver and, unprovoked, just tasered the driver on the back of the neck for no reason,” he told 1News.
The man pressed the emergency exit button and got off the bus as passengers called the police.
Elattar said the bus driver told him he felt an electric shock and that he was bleeding from his neck.
“It was probably a sharp Taser.”
Auckland Transport said it was “aware” of the incident and was cooperating with the police and bus operator’s investigation.
“Our bus drivers do an incredible job playing an essential role in keeping our city moving, they deserve to feel safe in their place of work,” a spokesperson told 1News.
