Boy critical after being hit by truck

A boy struck by a truck in Waikato yesterday is in a stable condition in intensive care, a Waikato Hospital spokeswoman said today.

The 11-year-old boy stepped in front of the northbound truck near a bridge on State Highway One in Ngaruawahia about midday, Huntly strategic traffic unit Sergeant Juliet Burges said.

Waikato Hospital spokeswoman Mary-Anne Gill was unable to give details of his injuries but Ms Burges had earlier described them as critical.

The Waikato Serious Crash Unit was investigating.

The Hamilton V8 motor race had increased traffic flows around the region and parents should know where their children were at all times, Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said.

"We've got school holidays occurring simultaneously with the big race event so the roads are very busy and we're asking pedestrians and motorists alike to exercise caution," he said.

- NZPA