Charges likely after teen receives head injuries

A driver is likely to be charged after a teenager received critical head injuries on a rural Northland road this morning.

The injured man, aged 17 or 18, was taken to Northland Base Hospital in Whangarei after being injured about 6am at Matarau, 14km northwest of Whangarei.

The man received surgery before being airlifted to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland, Detective Sergeant Steve Simpkin said.

"We were a little unsure whether his injuries were the result of an assault or a vehicle accident, but as a result of a forensic scene examination we established it was the latter," he told NZPA.

"We are speaking to a local man who is helping us with our inquiries, and a vehicle has been seized for forensic investigation.

"It is likely driving-related charges will be laid."

Mr Simpkin said it appeared the victim had been walking home from a party when he was struck by a car.

The driver apparently went straight to a neighbour's house to call an ambulance.

The man's injuries were serious but not expected to be life-threatening, he said.

- NZPA