Auckland girl, 8, hit by car was on pedestrian crossing

By Anna Leask, Morgan Tait, Tom Carnegie

Senior Journalist - crime and justice·NZ Herald·

18 Dec, 2014 02:54 AM2 mins to read

Police say a 6-year-old girl hit by a car on Titirangi Rd this morning was on her way to the dairy and on a pedestrian crossing at the time. "The child was at a pedestrian crossing which is controlled by traffic lights and at this stage the indications are that she had used the button to operate the lights and was crossing on a green-man pedestrian signal," police said. The young female driver of the car that struck the girl stopped at the scene and is now assisting police with their investigation.

Police have interviewed a woman who allegedly hit a young girl crossing a West Auckland road this morning.

The 8-year-old remains in a critical but stable condition at Starship Hospital after she was stuck on Titirangi Rd just after 9am.

Police initially said the little girl was 6 years old however enquiries since this morning's release of the early details have established that she is two years older.

The driver of the vehicle that struck her is aged 62 years old.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and it will be at least several weeks before any decision around charges is made.

Video: Elderly man hit by a Jeep

Meanwhile, an elderly man is in a critical condition in Auckland City Hospital after being run over by a Jeep in a supermarket car park this afternoon.

Just after 12.30pm emergency services were called to the Devonport New World after a 80-year-old man appeared to have suffered a medical event and collapsed behind a car, which was reversing at low speed. The vehicle ran over the man's leg leaving him trapped.

The Herald understands it took over an hour to free the man and transport him to hospital by ambulance. He was in a serious condition. Police said members of the public used a jack to lift up the car and help the man before emergency services arrived.

Devonport Fire Station Officer Grant Thompson started the CPR on the elderly man, who was unconscious when emergency crews arrived.

Mr Thompson said St John Ambulance also administered first aid, before transporting the man to hospital.

The police serious crash unit also attended the incident. Half of the car park was closed, causing traffic congestion in the area.

Police and St John were expected to release more information this afternoon.

An investigation by the Waitemata Police Serious Crash unit is underway.