An elderly woman has been found dead in Whanganui after a suspected hit and run at Helmore St in Whanganui. Video/Bevan Conley
An elderly woman has been found dead in Whanganui after a suspected hit and run.
Detective Sergeant Craig Gorringe said the body of an elderly female pedestrian was discovered near the intersection of Anzac Parade and Helmore St about 1.55am.
She had suffered injuries consistent with a vehicle collision.
Emergency services attended and police searched the area but have yet to locate a vehicle.
Anzac Parade was closed between Jones and Jellicoe Sts with diversions in place while officers examined the scene.
"We urge the person or people involved in this incident to do the right thing and come forward and speak to us as soon as possible," Gorringe said.
Photo / Bevan Conley
"We are also seeking any CCTV footage from overnight from businesses or residences on Anzac Parade, along with any sightings of the elderly woman in the Anzac Parade area prior to the time her body was found."
Anybody with information could contact police on 105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A Whanganui East resident, who lives nearby and did not want to be named, said she was at home when the alleged incident occurred, but had heard nothing.
She said there was regular foot traffic on Helmore St.
"We've got Masonic Court Rest Home here, so there are residents that walk around, but not usually in the evening," she said.
"There are lots of people that do walk this way because they do the bridge walks as well."
The woman had her own experience with a hit and run several weeks ago when a vehicle went careening into their rental home in the same area.
She said speeding vehicles were a problem.
"There are people who speed up this street at night-time often. I've often thought about ringing the police about it. I watched this guy do it just the other day.
"He just hooned up our street and I thought 'you bastard, we've got little kids in this street'."
Masonic Court Rest Home facility manager Victoria Morris confirmed all residents were accounted for.
"We're all fine here. We look after our residents," Morris said.
