Police have identified the woman who is fighting for her life after escaping bound and gagged from a car boot in south Auckland last night.
Police in Papatoetoe after a bound and gagged woman escaped from the boot of a moving car. Photo: SETFORD
The 50-year-old Thai woman, who resides in Auckland, was seen tumbling from the boot about 7pm, approximately 100m south of the intersection between Huia and East Tamaki Roads in Papatoetoe.
She is in a coma in intensive care in Middlemore Hospital.
In a news conference this morning, Counties Manukau Crime Manager Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said four witnesses saw the boot of what was thought to be a late model silver sedan pop open and a woman push herself out on to the road.
"She was restrained, both with her hands being bound and she also had some material over her mouth," he said.
One person tried to follow the car but was unable to get the registration number.
The police have released this image of one of the woman's tattoos. Photo: SUPPLIED / NZ Police
The woman was helped by members of the public, who called an ambulance, Mr Lynch said.
Jay Shah told RNZ News he was putting his rubbish bins out when he saw the woman leap out of the car right near him.
"I quickly tried to untie the knot, because from what I could see, she was not able to breathe. So I untied her and by then there were other people helping me."
Mr Shah said it appeared to be some kind of kidnapping.
He said the woman had a metal rod beside her, which may have been how she freed herself from the car boot.
Mr Lynch said she was unresponsive towards the public, the ambulance and police at the time.
"So unfortunately we haven't been able to communicate with her directly and obviously she's in a coma."
The woman had a head injury but it was not clear exactly when and how that had happened, he said.
"It seems she's managed to open the boot herself in some manner and throw herself out."
The police had worked through the night and would continue to examine the scene today. They also wanted to hear from anyone who had seen a vehicle fitting the description provided by witnesses in the area.
"The witness accounts vary but we're looking for at least one, possibly two, people who were in that silver vehicle."
Mr Lynch said, at this stage, there was nothing to suggest any risk to other members of the public.
"This is a completely random location in my view. I don't think the location at Huia Road has got much to do - or anything - with what's happened at all."
A spokesperson for Middlemore Hospital said the woman was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit and "causing concern".
Anyone with information can contact police on 0508 422 443 or make an anonymous call to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Those who prefer to speak Thai can call Constable Peter Siriphong on 021 191 0864 - or for Chinese, call Justin Zeng on 09 263 2781.
Police in Papatoetoe after a bound and gagged woman escaped from the boot of a moving car. Photo: SETFORD
