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Carrington Road intersection where alleged road rage incident occured on Tuesday, April 7 - Source: ONE News -
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Family of an elderly man killed following an alleged road rage incident in Auckland have described him as peaceful, honest and hard working.
Jashmatbai Patel, 78, of Te Atatu, received critical injuries after being attacked in Mt Albert around 8am Tuesday, and was later put in an induced coma. He died in hospital at 1.30pm Wednesday.
Police say the incident happened after a "minor crash" between Patel's van and a BMW on Carrington Road.
West Auckland student Bio O'Brien, 27, was arrested soon after the incident and faced a charge of assault when he appeared in Auckland District Court.
Family members of Patel say their father and grandfather had looked after them in New Zealand for the past 33 years.
He was described as honest and disciplined, and had worked at a factory until he was 71 before continuing to help his family out most days of the week at their Mangere food store.
Patel's son, George, says his father was supportive and motivating to his five grandchildren in terms of their education and sport activities.
Family were reluctant to talk about the attack, but say Patel was peaceful and wouldn't harm anyone.
They hadn't slept since the incident and were at Patel's side when he died.
Police say no further charges had been immediately laid following Patel's death, but a homicide inquiry had been launched.
O'Brien, a student from Tuvalu, a group of islands in the central Pacific, entered no plea in court and was remanded in custody to reappear on Thursday when he may apply for bail.
His lawyer successfully opposed applications for cameras to film in court and said he would continue to do so.
