Man requires surgery after being hit by a car in Peppimenarti gang chaos
Another incident of community unrest has erupted on the streets of Peppimenarti, this time sending a man to hospital after he was hit by a car.
Northern Territory
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A man is awaiting surgery in hospital after he was run over by a car in Peppimenarti at the weekend as gang chaos in the community continues to spiral out of control.
Traditional Owner Anastaisia Naiya Wilson said she was at home at about 2.30am on Sunday when she “heard biggest mob of noises and then biggest mob of spotlights”.
“There was (a group of) young boys from Jovi (Boys),” she said.
“I walked over to mum’s place because I know we’re in danger when I hear lots of noise so I go to my mum’s for safety.
“We were all there, women and children.”
Ms Wilson said the car being driven by the gang members had been reported stolen three weeks earlier but local police had yet to apprehend the thieves and had still not responded to Sunday morning’s unrest by Monday afternoon.
“I kept calling police (prior to the man being run over) and telling them there’s a car doing donuts and driving recklessly,” she said.
“Still waiting for police to come, they haven’t come and done statements yet.”
Ms Wilson said the man was now awaiting surgery in Royal Darwin Hospital after being flown out of the community by CareFlight.
A spokesman for NT Police said he was unable to provide any information about the incident as of Monday afternoon.
Community members say the Peppimenarti police station has been broken into up to six times in the past 12 months but NT Police has previously refused to confirm or deny the reports or explain why the incidents were not made public at the time.
A spokesman for CareFlight refused to answer questions about the incident, saying only that it was “a matter for police” before he stopped responding to emails.
When asked directly if NT Police had instructed CareFlight not to release any information about the patient’s condition, the spokesman again did not respond.
NT Health has been contacted for comment.
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