One dead after car crashes into Auckland cafe in Forrest Hill, owner says mother and daughter hit

A car crashed into a cafe in Auckland’s Forrest Hill neighborhood Friday morning, injuring two pedestrians. Emergency services responded to the scene on William Souter St just before 9 a.m.

Crash Injures Two Outside Auckland Cafe

Cafe owner Paige Sun said she and her barista were inside the cafe and unharmed, but a mother and daughter, who were regular customers, were struck while seated outside with their small dog. The daughter was wearing a Westlake Girls’ High School uniform and appeared to be in “year 12 or 13,” Sun said. Westlake Girls’ High School declined to comment.

Witnesses described a loud crash. “It sounded like a boom,” Sun said. “The glass is not broken, just the wall.” The dog was not injured, according to Sun, who also knew the driver as a regular customer. “They are all really nice,” she added.

Another witness said a woman was lying on the ground and a “young girl” had injuries to her face. A man living across the road reported hearing a “boom” before seeing a woman being taken from the cafe on a “structure” by emergency services.

Three ambulances, two rapid response units, and two operations managers were dispatched to the scene, St John Ambulance reported.

‘Nothing to Indicate It’s Suspicious’

Police stated the crash was an isolated incident and there were no ongoing concerns. “Nothing to indicate it’s suspicious. We’re still early in our investigation, but we’re progressing quickly,” said Senior Sergeant Dean Roberts, police district shift commander.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau and the Serious Crash Unit are investigating. William Souter St was closed between East Coast Rd and Morton Ave, police said.

Apex Trophies & Engraving staff member Jess told Newstalk ZB she and colleagues rushed to help after hearing the “massive” crash. She said a woman appeared stunned and “looked like she may have been tossed by the car.” A “young girl” also sustained facial injuries but was walking around, which Jess considered a positive sign.

Olivia, a staff member at the nearby K-medi Clinic, reported hearing a loud noise and dogs barking. She described the crash as “shocking.”

Second Incident in Weeks

The incident occurred weeks after a car crashed into another Auckland cafe, Columbus Glen Innes, on February 23. In that incident, a driver mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake, smashing through the store’s glass doors. It wasn’t the first time Columbus Glen Innes had been struck by a vehicle; a similar incident occurred in 2019 when a customer accidentally accelerated instead of braking.

Sun expects her cafe will be closed for a couple of weeks. She has insurance, but is unsure of the coverage details. Her landlord also has insurance for the building, which had not been damaged by a vehicle in the three years she’d owned the cafe.