A mass brawl involving students from multiple schools broke out outside a West Auckland train station, leaving members of the public “terrified”.

The principal of a large boys’ secondary school says he’s aware of the carpark fracas that erupted after class yesterday and the matter is being treated “seriously”.

A witness, who hid in her vehicle as the violence erupted, told the Herald the “ugly scene” happened about 4.30pm yesterday at the Sturges Rd train station carpark.

Video of the incident, which has been circulating on social media, shows a large group of students in school uniform fighting and swearing near parked cars.

One student can be seen getting punched and kicked on the ground.

“There were about 40-plus students on the train who got off at Sturges Rd. I was hiding in my car while [I] called the police as this was happening up and down the carpark,” the witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

The witness said the majority of the students were from Kelston Boys’ High School (KBHS), while another who appeared to be ganged up on was wearing what “looked like a Waitakere College shirt”.

They said the video was sent around their daughter’s group chat.

“They were all in KBHS uniform. It was clear on the video and I saw the emblem and name. I did not see a clear view of the student on the ground but it looked like a Waitakere College shirt. I am familiar with these uniforms as they are always on the trains I use.

“There were a group of males [not in uniform] also coming from Swanson Rd entrance who were almost blocking that exit so no one could get past and out from there, and egging on the KBHS students.”

Kelston Boys’ High School acting principal Steve Cole told the Herald the school is aware of the incident and “is taking the matter seriously”.

“We are currently working with other schools involved and relevant agencies to establish the facts. For privacy reasons, we are unable to comment on individual students or provide further details at this time.”

The Herald has contacted Waitakere College for comment. Police and Auckland Transport have also been approached.

The witness said they were “terrified” and “disgusted” by the incident.

“I was terrified; there were so many people. I couldn’t see weapons but I just wanted to get out of there, but they were blocking the cars. There was another young girl maybe in her 20s who was also looking scared and was blocked.”

They said the schools and students need to be held accountable.

“What should have been a normal afternoon commute turned into an ugly scene where a large group appeared to gang up on a single person who was heavily outnumbered.

“Regardless of what led up to the incident, there is no excuse for mob behaviour, intimidation or violence.”