Wheelie bin rides slammed

Nearly 17 years after a 19-year-old University of Otago student was killed  while riding in a wheelie bin down  a Dunedin street, police are horrified to discover young people are at it again.

Acting Senior Sergeant Trevor Thomson, of Dunedin, said police were called to Warrender St about 1.20am yesterday, following complaints about people sliding down the  street in wheelie bins.

In March 2001, Ana Louise North, a physical education student, died instantly when she and a friend smashed into a parked trailer while riding in a wheelie bin down  Baldwin St.

The ride left her male friend in Dunedin Hospital with serious head injuries.

The pair took the wheelie bin from another part of town, pushed it Baldwin St and laid it on its side, before getting in and riding it like a sledge.

Acting Sen Sgt Thomson said police yesterday spoke to three people,  one of whom  was arrested for crashing into a parked car.

The male, in his late teens, was charged with wilful damage and disorderly behaviour.

"We suggest that it is definitely not a good thing to do on the roads, especially after that terrible accident in Baldwin St," Acting Sen Sgt Thomson said.

"That sort of behaviour is not acceptable. Our tolerance for that is very, very low.

"It’s not only putting themselves in danger, it’s putting other people in danger."

No-one was injured. 

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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