Hurt boy 'target of gang intimidation'

Police attend the scene at Baberton St, Tokoroa. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A 15-year-old boy, who has been left fighting for his life after a hit-and-run, was targeted by a group as part of a gang initiation, police say.

Tokoroa police are looking for the driver of a four-wheel-drive vehicle who chased and then ran over the teenager, leaving him in a coma.

Seth Tera, a Tokoroa High School student, remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit.

He has serious chest and head injuries after he was chased several blocks through the South Waikato township and run down at the intersection of Baberton and Currie Sts about 3.30am on Saturday.

Police said the injured youth and two friends accompanying him had no links to any gang and they just happened to be "in the wrong place at the wrong time".

Seth's grandmother, "Mama" Annie Tera told the Herald she had seen her grandson the day before he was run down.

Mrs Tera, 78 and originally from Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, said she was too upset to visit the hospital where his family and friends have been keeping a bedside vigil.

"I am waiting here for some good news," she said.

Mrs Tera believed a gang of people were chasing her grandson.

"He's a good boy. He plays rugby; he's a good player and he always comes to visit me because I live on my own," she said.

"I don't know what has happened. I heard there were a few people in the car but I just can't believe this has happened to my baby boy."

Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Tokoroa CIB, said no arrests had been made, but police had completed their scene examination and had spoken to several witnesses.

"There are still some people we will have to deal with to counter hearsay and Chinese whispers," he said.

"Among them are the family, but obviously they need to spend some time with their son in hospital first."

Mr Verry said police were looking for a four-wheel-drive vehicle with bull bars on the front.

He called for any person who knew of someone who drives or owns such a vehicle that had some unexplained damage to contact police.