Tesla v taxi: Hollywood star Cliff Curtis injured in waterfront crash

Kiwi Hollywood star Cliff Curtis was injured in a crash on Auckland’s waterfront that also left a taxi driver seriously injured.

The Herald understands the 58-year-old actor was one of two people in a Tesla when it collided with a parked Prius taxi around 10.30pm on September 23 at the intersection of Jellicoe and Halsey Sts, next to Karanga Plaza.

Hato Hone St John said two people – one in a serious condition and one moderate – were taken to Auckland City Hospital.

A third person also suffered minor injuries, according to a police statement issued in response to questions from the Herald.

Emergency services responded to a serious crash at the intersection of Jellicoe St and Halsey St in downtown Auckland overnight, where a Tesla collided with a taxi. Photo / Hayden Woodward

The crash happened at the intersection of Jellicoe St and Halsey St in the Viaduct. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Firefighters were called around 10.30pm to the crash, with crews arriving to find a man badly trapped inside a Prius, Fire and Emergency Auckland city senior station officer Michael Manning said.

Crews cut the patient out of the car and provided life support until St John arrived.

“Given this area of town, it was a very high-speed impact,” Manning said.

Firefighters used hydraulic cutting gear to cut open the Prius and free the driver. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Serious crash at the intersection of Jellicoe St and Halsey St in downtown Auckland overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward

A witness said of the crash, “It was just a big, big impact.

“The crash made the taxi move maybe 3-4 metres.”

The owner of Wynyard Mart, which is about 20m away from where the crash happened, described the crash as a loud “boom”.

He said they were thankful no one else was hurt, as the Karanga Plaza is popular with children and tourists.

No one was home when NZME visited Curtis’ Rotorua home after the crash.

Curtis’s New Zealand agent Gabriella Larkin-Bruce did not respond to multiple approaches by the Herald.

Curtis issued a statement to Stuff confirming he was hospitalised with internal injuries in the crash.

“I am deeply saddened by this incident. My thoughts are with those who were hurt, and their families at this time,” he said.

Curtis said in the statement that he assisted the other injured parties with first aid until emergency services arrived.