Hamilton road closure: Pedestrian seriously injured after being hit by car

A section of a main Hamilton street has been closed after a vehicle struck a pedestrian.

The incident happened on Ulster St, outside the Fountain City Motor Inn, about 11.35am today.

All that remained at the scene was a pile of blood and two piles of clothing while a water bottle lay a couple of metres away, in front of the black four-wheel-drive.

Ulster St was briefly closed between Maeroa Rd and Richmond St but reopened about 12.25pm.

A St John spokesperson said one patient was taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

Residents recognised the black vehicle as staying at a motel near the scene.

One resident said the man who was struck was her neighbour; a recent retiree who was fit and active, often going to the gym or getting his shopping.

"He lives down here. He was very fit, goes to the gym, goes shopping and is out and about all day. A very active retiree. He was a nice, lovely man.

"It's very unfortunate and right before Christmas. He would have been just enjoying his day as usual.

"I hope he'll be alright. It's very sad."

The woman said she wasn't surprised the crash happened; she knew it would happen one day, given the speed vehicles travelled along Ulster St.

She said when she has to cross the road with her grandchildren they walked further down to the median strip crossing.

A black 4WD remains stopped in the middle of Ulster St after a collision with a pedestrian this morning. Photo / Belinda Feek

"We walk down there because you've got longer to see the cars ... I've been waiting for it to happen. I know four residents who [cross the road] on a regular basis.

"It's a busy little place. A lot of [residents] just catch the bus here or there's the bus stop on that side if you want to go to The Base."

She said as the traffic moved so fast, people pulling out of motels were so focused on other cars that they may not pay attention to pedestrians.

"They often shoot, go fast because they're also trying to beat the fast traffic around the corner and that might have been what happened today.

"I drive out of here and I can boot it but you've got to watch it.

"I hope he'll be alright. It's very sad. He lives a very independent life."

She said they lived in a block of 30 apartments for older residents all of whom had to race for their lives to cross the street to use the other bus stop if they wanted to do their shopping at the northern end of town.

"This is a seniors complex there's 31 units here ... it will be interesting to see if there's anything that can be considered."

She said there were many young families staying at various motels along Ulster St, including the Fountain City.

Although it appeared the black vehicle had pulled out of the motel, she bemoaned the speed which vehicles travelled along Ulster St, which had a 60km/h limit.

"At the moment we've got lots and lots of young families over here and they scooter and run out here and mum and dad are hot on their little tails.

"I was up there one day there was a little girl no older than 2 crossing the main road by herself in a nappy, so we have an incredibly busy, busy area here with families and older people and a corner where they're zooming around."

She understood the injured man had family in Hamilton.

A police spokesperson said "one person was taken to hospital and the circumstances of the crash will be investigated".