Christchurch motorist recounts terrifying carjacking attempt

A motorist has recounted a terrifying carjacking incident that happened in Avonhead on Saturday night.

The woman, who Chris Lynch Media isn’t naming to protect her identity, said she was driving along Withells Road at 10.30PM after attending a 50th party, and was just about to turn into Staveley Street, when she saw three men in their early twenties approach her vehicle.

“My 13-year-old grandson was in the front passenger seat and had a better view, as I was concentrating on the traffic ahead.

“The next thing my grandson starts screaming saying they’re trying to get in the car and I’m trying to keep calm.

“They grabbed the door handle and were trying to wrench it open” she said.

“I planted my foot and drove away. My grandson was terrified and I could hardly understand what he was saying. He's usually a very composed boy, but I can understand the terror as he came face to face with the person who was trying to open the car door.”

“Fortunately, I have a new car which locks all the doors when you get inside and start the ignition.”

Two offenders wore very dark clothing, one of them was wearing a hoodie. The other was a taller person, and he was the one who tried to open the car door.

“He had a mullet cut and long hair and was wearing a light-coloured jacket.

“I’m a pretty calm person and I don’t get into a big flap over things, but when I thought the whole thing through afterwards, I wanted people to be aware that it could happen to them.

“You could be in a car alone, as I often am at night time, without the door being locked and it's quite scary to think what could happen.

I must admit, I thought what would have happened if my door wasn't locked? My grandson is tiny little boy really. I dread to think what could have happened to him.”

Roundabout where the incident took place Photo: Google Maps

The woman said she phoned police once she got home and told them what happened. After the call, they phoned back 10 minutes later and asked her to make a statement at the police station the next day which she did with her grandson.

A friend who was at the same party and lives close by drove through the same intersection 10 minutes before the attempted carjacking and nearly ran one of them over.

“He said one of them walked in front of his car forcing him to swerve out of their way. He tried to get in front of his car and get him. My friend quickly drove off.”

A police spokesman confirmed to Chris Lynch Media they were investigating “after a report of a person attempting to gain access to a moving vehicle on Withells Road on Saturday evening.”

A report was made to police on Sunday afternoon. Thankfully no entry was gained to the vehicle the police spokesman said.