Title: Northland Police Investigating Pedestrian Being Struck By Two Vehicles Overnight

01 February 2013

Northland Police investigating the circumstances around how a pedestrian came to be struck first by a member of the public's vehicle and then by a following patrol car say it appears neither driver was at fault.

District Road Policing Manager, Inspector Murray Hodson, said emergency services were called to an incident on SH1 about 1km out from Kaikohe about midnight.

"The crash is currently under investigation by the Serious Crash Unit however initial indications are that the incident happened in an area controlled by a 100km/h speed limit.

"It appears that a member of the public was driving west along SH12, followed by a marked Police car, when the first vehicle has run over a man wearing dark clothing who had been lying on the road. The following Police car has then also run over the man."

Mr Hodson said it had not yet been established why the man was lying in the road and Police understood the man had been consuming alcohol prior to him being found in the westbound lane.

"The speed of the vehicle's at the time of the incident was about 75-80km/h and the Police patrol was not engaged in urgent duty driving at the time of the crash.

"The victim has suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries predominantly to his lower body and legs and he is currently in Northland Hospital. At this time our officers are attempting to locate and advise the injured man's family."

Mr Hodson said as well as being investigated by Police, the matter has been reported to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

"Indications are at this stage neither driver would have been able to take evasive action to avoid hitting the prone man and our enquiry examining the actions of both drivers will continue.

"Although this enquiry is in its early stages, from the circumstances as we understand them, I am comfortable with the actions of both drivers”.

ENDS

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