A 20-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a child was seriously injured at Myers Park in central Auckland yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the park about 4.45pm to reports a person had been assaulted.
A child was taken to Starship Hospital and remains in a serious but stable condition.
The charged man remains in hospital in a serious condition as a result of self-inflicted injuries.
“The 20-year-old has been charged with attempted murder in relation to the assault on the child,” Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said this afternoon.
“The child’s family have been advised and are being supported.”
Cordons established around the playground yesterday have since been removed.
“A scene examination at Myers Park has been completed, and the investigation into what happened is ongoing,” Patel said.
“Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, nor do we believe there is any ongoing risk to the public.”
Hato Hone St John sent two ambulances, a rapid response unit and an operations manager.
It initially said two patients were taken to hospital, one in a critical condition and the other in a serious condition.
Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick earlier said she had been in contact with local police about the attack.
“I’ve been in touch with our local police about the serious assault that has just occurred in Myer’s Park,” she wrote on Facebook yesterday.
“The alleged perpetrator is in police custody ... They have asked me to ensure our community knows that the response was swift and there is no ongoing threat.”
Anyone who saw what happened or has footage can contact police by calling 105 or going online to 105.police.govt.nz and click “Update Report”, referencing file number 261025/2283.