Mother concerned after hit-and-run driver crashes into Kapakapanui School in Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast

The mother of a 10-year-old student said the incident happened minutes before “the whole field was covered with children” for break, and the incident had left them feeling anxious and emotional.

“If he had arrived 10 minutes later, he would have knocked down a lot of children on his way through the school.”

The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said teachers immediately quarantined classrooms and called their response “brilliant.”

“I know a teacher who grabbed a child, threw him into the classroom and locked the door behind her.”

She said the accident caused extensive damage to numerous fences, gates and barriers, as well as leaving tyre marks on the school grounds.

The event was described as “totally unexpected” as the school is located off the main public road in a residential area.

“It’s quite disappointing to see the prevalence of crime in New Zealand at the moment.

“I don’t really feel safe here.”

Police said the man was taken into custody after driving “erratically” in Waikanae about 11am.

Kapakapanui School declined to comment.

Last year, a car driving erratically in Auckland narrowly missed a student before turning around and driving onto a pavement and embankment where two other students were nearly hit.

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