Hit-and-run appeal

Blenheim police are appealing for sightings of a maroon car with a damaged left side and headlight believed to have been involved in a hit-and-run which left a man with serious head injuries.

Police said a member of the public discovered a badly hurt 37-year-old Christchurch man lying in the northbound lane of State Highway 1, 11km south of Blenheim, just before midnight on Saturday.

Nearby was an extensively damaged Honda car, which police said appeared to have previously collided with a barrier about 3.5km to the south.

As the driver got out after having to pull over, a maroon car travelling in the same direction hit the Honda and injured him before speeding towards Blenheim, police said.