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Parent describes horror in rock throwing incident which damaged about 20 cars

TOBY George said his heart was thumping when he realised how close a large rock, hurled at his car, had come to hitting his young daughter

Toby George with daughter Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.
Toby George with daughter Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

TOBY George said his heart was thumping when he realised how close a large rock, hurled at his car, had come to hitting his young daughter.

Mr George was one of about 20 motorists attacked by what police believe was two young men.

The rock throwing lasted about an hour from 7.25pm last night to 8.33pm at Tiger Brennan Dr, Woolner Rd and Stuart Hwy.

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As of today no arrests or charges had been made.

Watch Commander Superintendent Antony Deutrom said police got about 15 reports from motorists but believed up to 20 cars may have been damaged.

“I would expect with the intensity and the size of the rocks there would be quite some damage,” he said.

Toby George with daughter Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter Milly. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.
Toby George with daughter Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter Milly. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Senior Sergeant Michael Fields said the rocks averaged about half a brick in size.

“This is particularly life-threatening. That section of road is 80km/h. They could have easily taken someone’s life or seriously harmed them,” he said.

Mr George, who is contesting the seat of Port Darwin for the Country Liberals, said the incident had shaken his kids.

“They (the kids) were pretty terrified. They usually sleep in their own beds, my son was shaking a bit in bed. They are kids right, so I’m sure it will be OK,” he said.

Toby George with children Henry, 8, and Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter Milly. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.
Toby George with children Henry, 8, and Milly, 6, were driving down Tiger Brennan Dr when people threw a rock at his car narrowly avoiding his daughter Milly. Picture Katrina Bridgeford.

Sen Sgt Fields said Strike Force Trident had been assigned to the task of finding those involved.

“We’re putting all our resources that we can at this time to try to locate them and bring them to justice,” he said.

“I would say that this is a fairly isolated incident, it’s not a recurring issue we face certainly in the northern part of the Territory.

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Cops are appealing for witnesses, victims and those who have dashcam footage and drove through the area at the time to come forward.

In 2005, then 25-year-old Damian De Wit was almost killed when a man threw a fist-sized rock through his windscreen as he drove along Happy Valley Dr, Adelaide.

Road rage accident victim Damian De Wit, who was hit by a brick thrown through his windscreen while driving, in hospital after emerging from coma 28 Jan 2005.
Road rage accident victim Damian De Wit, who was hit by a brick thrown through his windscreen while driving, in hospital after emerging from coma 28 Jan 2005.

Four years after the incident, Mr De Wit told the Adelaide Advertiser he wanted to die numerous times during his slow and painful recovery.

He underwent more than 10 major operations to help repair the damage to his skull, which had left him with a lifetime of future health problems.

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts/rock-throwing-youths-damage-at-least-15-cars-on-darwins-main-roads/news-story/e4deabbf3fc48c5fb1cb1928f039f10d