KEY POINTS:
A 46-year-old man has been arrested over a hit-and-run in Matakana that left a woman lying in a ditch for seven hours.
Melissa Rowthorn, 41, was walking on Govan Wilson Road, just metres from her home in the township north of Auckland, when she was hit by an unknown vehicle. The vehicle did not stop.
Mrs Rowthorn was discovered by her husband and later taken by helicopter to Auckland Hospital with fractured vertebra, skull and tracheotomy.
Detective Kevin Blackman of the Rodney CIB said police went to Matakana late yesterday afternoon and arrested the man.
"He will appear in the North Shore District Court on Thursday charged with failing to stop to ascertain injury after a crash. Further charges are likely," Mr Blackman said.
Mr Blackman said police had seized a vehicle and were examining it for forensic evidence.
He said Mrs Rowthorn was in a stable condition in Auckland Hospital and police planned to speak to her soon.
- NZHERALD STAFF
