Student in coma not assaulted: police

The Whangarei teen who was found unconscious after leaving a local church was not assaulted.

A Whangarei Boys' High School student is in an induced coma in Auckland Hospital from a pre-existing medical condition, not an assault, police say.

The boy was found on Manse St on the evening of September 9 after he had left a nearby church.

Police launched an assault investigation but were unable to speak to the boy as he was in an induced coma.

Whangarei police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said yesterday the boy was in a serious condition from a pre-existing medical condition.

"It appears his condition was not related to an assault."

Mrs Kennett said while there was no evidence the boy had been assaulted, they could not be certain until they spoke to him.

She said police had spoken to a number of people as part of the investigation.

The teenager had been returning from the Whangarei Central Baptist Church to the school's Carruth House boarding hostel - where he stays during term - when he was found in Manse St.

He was taken by ambulance to Whangarei Hospital then rushed to Auckland, where he remains in a coma.