Hastings hit-and-run: Man remains critical after saving toddler's life

Police on the corner of Lowe St and Maraekakaho Rd in Camberley, Hastings, after a hit-and-run collision which has left a man fighting for his life. Photo / Paul Taylor

A man who pushed a toddler in a pram to safety before being hit by a car remains critically in Hawke's Bay Hospital.

The driver of an older model Mazda 323 crossed onto the wrong side of Hastings' Maraekakaho Rd just after 9.30am yesterday, before ploughing into a group of people - including a toddler in a pram on the footpath.

A man, in his 50s, managed to push the pram out of harm's way, however he was himself critically injured.

The car sped off and was last seen by witnesses travelling south down Marekakaho Rd.

A woman, believed to be the mother, has since commented on social media that police have since found the offending driver after his vehicle crashed into a ditch in Flaxmere.

However, police today confirmed they have found a car believed to be involved but are still seeking the driver who remains on the run.

Police are also keen to hear from anyone else who may have witnessed the incident to contact them on 06-877 0609 quoting job number P040089521.

The toddler in this pram managed to escape serious injury after a car ploughed into her and the adults walking with her in Hastings yesterday morning. Photo / Paul Taylor

Resident Joyce O'Callaghan earlier told the Herald how she was inside her nearby Lowe St home when she heard a car "speeding around the corner" on to Maraekakaho Rd, and then a "big bang".

A neighbour later told her one of two men with the baby had saved the infant's life, O'Callaghan said.

The woman told O'Callaghan she was busy pulling open her curtains when she saw the crash.

"She told me there was a man pushing a pram and he tried to save the baby by pushing it away, but he was very badly injured."

After going outside, she saw a man lying on grass next to the footpath.

A hospital spokeswoman today said the man remained in a critical condition in its intensive care unit.

The toddler has been discharged from hospital.