Cafe patron injured in hit-run involving a van on George St, Norwood
A VAN allegedly used to hit and drag a cafe patron down the road during a laptop theft in Norwood has been found torched in the southern suburbs..
A VAN allegedly used to hit and drag a cafe patron down the road during a laptop theft in Norwood has been found torched in the southern suburbs.
On Monday morning, an SA Police spokeswoman said the van had been found torched at River Rd in Port Noarlunga.
The 33-year-old victim’s condition in the Royal Adelaide Hospital remained serious overnight.
On Sunday night, witnesses said the victim was sitting at an outside table at Manto Cafe, on the intersection of George St and The Parade in Norwood, when the van pulled up just before 6pm.
A man then got out of the van and stole the victim’s laptop.
Cafe worker Digby Sever said the customer then jumped over the cafe railing and while trying to get his laptop back, ran in front of the van and fell down.
“The van stopped, reversed up, saw him, put it back in drive and just went and hit him.
“He sort of rolled under the car, they kept going probably 10 metres.”
Mr Sever said the victim appeared to be crushed under the car, and was dragged face down along the ground.
“The passenger jumped out and then looked under the car, saw him there, and then just started yelling ‘go’.
“He jumped back in saying ‘go, get out, keep driving’ and then they just kept moving off down the road with him pinned, flat under the car probably 30-40m.”
The victim was eventually freed and bystanders went to help him.
Mr Sever said the customer was a regular visitor to the cafe.
Other staff members described the victim as “the nicest guy” who often brought cafe staff cupcakes.
Other witnesses described the incident as “sinister”.
Bystanders went to help the victim before emergency services arrived.
An SA Ambulance spokeswoman said the victim was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital suffering serious arm injuries.
The incident was one of three serious crashes in South Australia on Sunday.
Just after 6pm, a motorcyclist crashed on Inman Valley Rd, Yankalila. He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition
Inman Valley Rd was closed while police examines the scene but has since reopened.
Police are also investigating another crash involving a motorcyclist, this time on the Birdsville Track.
Just before 11am, emergency services were notified the motorcyclist had crashed about 70km north of Mungeranie, in the state’s Far North.
The 58-year-old injured man was taken to Mungeranie where he was stabilised by Medstar crews.
He was then flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition. A RAH spokesman said he remained in a critical condition on Monday morning.
Any witnesses to any of the incidents should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.