"She hasn't seen the actual video. There's some things you wish you could unsee."
The video captured the man, a 43-year-old glazier, being struck down by his partner outside the Hamilton shop on Sunday.
At least one bystander can be seen rushing at the car as the driver tries to ram the victim a second time while he lies on the footpath. The witness, wearing a backpack, then tries to stop the car as it speeds off before turning his attention to the injured man.
Police said at least one passerby chased the woman as she fled and another person called police as he followed the blue car, before it was driven over a cliff and plunged into the Waikato River.
Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said police would look at recognising the bravery of those involved in the drama. They included a kayaker and a boatie, who together with police helped rescue the woman from the river. The man's friend, who spoke to the Herald on condition of anonymity, said he would want to thank the people who intervened.
"He will definitely want to meet them to thank them. It's just the sort of person he is. He would have just been rapt they were there to help."
The friend said the man endured a second operation on his "shattered" leg yesterday.
He was surrounded by family, including his parents and siblings, who had travelled from Wellington, Northland and the Bay of Plenty to be at his Waikato Hospital bedside.
Police had yet to interview the man but were appealing for witnesses to come forward.
A spokesperson for the man and his family said relatives wanted to acknowledge the courage and kindness shown during what they described as a tragic incident.
The woman involved, thought to be 44, was treated for minor injuries and discharged from Waikato Hospital on Sunday.
The Herald understands she was admitted to the Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre for a psychiatric assessment.
