Mick Morland and Leading Senior Constable Wayne Poulter are calling for witnesses after Berwick resident Chris Andrews was run down during a road rage incident last weekend while collecting money for charity. 31684 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Kelly Yates
A BERWICK man is nursing back, neck, hip and knee injuries after being run down during a road rage incident last Saturday while collecting money for charity.
Chris Andrews was volunteering for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal intersection collection on the corner of Princes Highway and Clyde Road in Berwick, with the Rotary Club of Berwick, when he was hit by a man driving a blue Ford at 9.30am.
Leading Senior Constable Wayne Poulter from the Endeavour Hills police station said an altercation broke out between Mr Andrews and the driver prior to the attack.
Sen Const Poulter said the man was driving along Clyde Road when he flew into the Shell service station, nearly collecting an elderly volunteer collector.
Mr Andrews told the News he went to assist his fellow Rotarian when the driver called them over to his car.
“We thought he was going to give us money and apologise,” he said.
“Then he started having a go at us, swearing and going off tap.”
Mr Andrews tried to calm down the driver.
“He didn’t listen at all and threatened to get me. He yelled “cop this” and ran me over.”
Mr Andrews was knocked to the ground and pinned under the car, inches away from the front wheels.
“He reversed away, did a burn-out and sped off back down Clyde Road,” he said.
The 44-year-old said the offender would be ranked in his top 10 of the most aggressive people he had ever encountered.
“There’s was no reason for the intentional attack,” Mr Andrews said.
“We were doing the right thing, being good Samaritans collecting money for charity and then I get assaulted.”
Mr Andrews said he was shaken up after the horrendous incident.
“I was nearly in tears,” he said.
Sen Const Poulter described the driver as Caucasian and in his late thirties.
Police would like to speak to a man driving a white ute who attempted to intervene at the service station.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Leading Senior Constable Wayne Poulter at the Endeavour Hills police station on 9709 7666.
