Elderly woman dies after being hit by car

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An elderly woman has died from critical injuries after she was run over by a passing car this morning.

Emergency services were called the scene at 9:17am today after a car hit a pedestrian at the intersection of State Highway One and Matheson Rd, in the town of Wellsford.

The woman, thought to be in her 80s, was airlifted to Auckland Hospital with serious facial and leg injuries. She has since died, said northern police communications Inspector Peter Raynes.

"She passed away in the Auckland Hospital as a result of the injuries sustained at the vehicle collision."

The Serious Crash Unit conducted a full scene examination after the crash and have spoken to the driver of the car involved in the incident.

"The driver stopped straight away and was speaking to police. He was very co-operative with police inquiries."

Mr Raynes said it was too soon to say whether charges would be laid, or to tell what caused the accident.

He said police were still speaking to witnesses.

The area had been blocked off and diversions put in place while a scene examination was carried out, but both lanes of the State Highway reopened at 12:30pm today, he said.

The New Zealand Land Safety Authority would decide whether the death contributed to the holiday road toll, he said.

The official road toll period began at 4pm on Friday and ends at 6am on January 4, and last year saw 12 die during the period.

The death will be referred to the coroner.