A Large Pool of Human Blood Was Found in a Wellington Tunnel. Police Say It Was 'Not of a Suspicious Nature'
A large pool of human blood discovered in a pedestrian tunnel beneath Wellington Airport prompted a police investigation and an appeal for public information. Days later, authorities confirmed the discovery was not suspicious, with a woman subsequently revealing that an e-scooter crash had left her bleeding heavily at the scene.
The incident occurred in the Coutts Street pedestrian underpass in Rongotai, which connects the area with Miro Street in Miramar, New Zealand. Police were called at around 10.40pm local time on Sunday, 4 October, after the blood was discovered.
Officers initially faced a worrying question: how had such a substantial amount of human blood ended up in a public tunnel, and was anyone injured or in need of help?
Senior Sergeant Steve Wescott reportedly confirmed that testing had established the blood was human. However, officers did not find anyone in the surrounding area when they first attended the scene.
Police Appeal for Information After Finding Human Blood
The discovery prompted police to examine the scene and seek information from members of the public who might have witnessed something unusual.
In an appeal issued on 9 October, police asked anyone who had been near the tunnel before 10.40pm on 4 October to come forward. Investigators also requested CCTV or dashcam footage that could help establish what had happened.
The appeal reflected officers' concern about the possibility that someone had been injured without receiving assistance. Police said their priority was to check on the welfare of anyone who might have been involved.
The location added to the mystery. The underpass runs beneath Wellington Airport, linking Rongotai and Miramar, and provides a route for pedestrians travelling through the area.
With no injured person initially found nearby, the blood's presence raised questions about whether an assault or another incident had occurred.
Woman Reveals E-Scooter Crash Behind Blood Discovery
The mystery was resolved after a woman came forward and explained that she had crashed her e-scooter in the tunnel.
In an interview with RNZ, the woman, who did not wish to be named, said she had accidentally caught the edge of the footpath while riding home. She fell forwards, striking her face against the concrete.
The impact left her with injuries to her forehead and nose and caused substantial bleeding.
Two men reportedly stopped to help her, including one who had a first-aid kit. Although she managed to get home, she visited her general practitioner the following day and was subsequently directed to Wellington Hospital's emergency department for further assessment.
She underwent tests and spent a night under observation, according to the report. After learning about media coverage of the blood discovery, she contacted police and was interviewed by officers.
The woman said she was surprised by the speculation surrounding the incident, expressing frustration at the rumours that had circulated.
Police Confirm No Suspicious Circumstances
On 13 October, New Zealand Police confirmed they had identified the source of the blood and would take no further action.
'We can confirm the matter is not of a suspicious nature, and no further Police involvement is required,' police said in an official update.
The statement brought the investigation to a close, while police thanked those who reported the discovery and supplied information.
The mystery was resolved after the woman told RNZ that an accidental e-scooter crash had caused the bleeding. The incident also highlighted how quickly an unexplained discovery can prompt concern when no injured person is immediately located.
For the woman involved, the crash resulted in painful facial injuries and hospital observation. For investigators, her account provided the missing explanation for the blood that had triggered the public appeal.