Driver wanted over fatal accident

Brian Duff died in the accident.

After spending a month in Middlemore Hospital, Brian Duff was over the moon about going home for the weekend.

But the 76-year-old and his wife Vi were not even halfway home when their car was hit by another vehicle in South Auckland.

Mr Duff's back was broken and he had to have surgery to remove a haematoma, but died on Friday from complications.

Mrs Duff received a broken sternum and bruising to her knee. She is recovering slowly while dealing with her husband's death.

The Beachlands couple were due to have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July.

Yesterday, as friends and family farewelled Mr Duff in a special "celebration of life" service, police investigating the accident appealed for the driver of the other vehicle to contact them.

Constable Rachel Dolheguy said the accident happened on Friday, May 5, about 3.55pm. A white Mitsubishi Legnum stationwagon pulled out of Israel Ave in Clendon Park and into the path of the car Mrs Duff was driving.

The driver of the station wagon, described as a Polynesian in his 30s or 40s, stopped at the scene. A woman in medical scrubs also stopped.

Ms Dolheguy said police had not arrived by the time the ambulance was leaving with Mr and Mrs Duff and no details were taken from the driver.

The driver asked an ambulance officer what to do and was told to report the accident at a police station. He then left in his damaged vehicle.

Ms Dolheguy said police needed to speak to the driver to complete their inquiry. They also wanted to hear from the woman in nurse's scrubs.

Mr Duff's eldest daughter, Janet Harris, described him as "a really good father of four who had old-fashioned values".

He was a radio technician and involved in setting up radio equipment at Auckland Airport in the 1960s.

* Anyone with information can contact Constable Cathy Duder at the Otara police station on (09) 272-0954.