Fuming French hitchhiker ‘loses the plot’ after waiting FOUR DAYS for a lift out of a New Zealand beach resort
Witnesses told how the man had allegedly thrown a freedom camp sign into the Punakaiki River and taken to the Punakaiki sign itself with a rock
A FRENCH hitchhiker who spent four days trying to get a ride out of a New Zealand beach resort was arrested after throwing a series of tantrums spotted by locals.
The man, who was trying to get a lift out of Punakaiki Beach, West Coast, on the country's South Island, took his anger out on road signs when cars didn't stop, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Senior Sergeant Paul Watson told the newspaper police received several calls about a man damaging signs and verbally abusing people.
He said: "It seems he lost the plot after becoming stuck in Punakaiki for four days and unable to get a lift.
"He could have started walking, he would have been in Franz Josef by now."
Police arrested the unnamed 27-year-old and took him to nearby Greymouth who is due to appear in court on Tuesday charged with criminal damage.
Witnesses described how the man had allegedly thrown a freedom camp sign into the Punakaiki River and taken to the Punakaiki sign itself with a rock.
They told police he also verbally abused tourists and locals.
The man is believed to have slept on the beach and was noticeable because he carried a big black plastic bag.
A woman, who works at the Punakaiki Visitor Centre, claims the man gave her "the big finger" as she drove nearby a bridge.
She added: "It was quite vicious and gave me a fright."
The woman, who did not give her name, said locals came into the visitor centre and described the man as "aggressive when they approached him about his behaviour and were worried he might be violent".
Local business owner Neil Mouat claims the man told one local that "New Zealand was s**t and he couldn't wait to get back to Europe".
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