Man hurt stopping runaway vehicle

File photo / NZ Herald

A Bay of Plenty man was injured while trying to stop a ute with a child inside from rolling down a hill.

At noon yesterday St John was called to treat the 40-year-old Judea man, who suffered abrasions to his arms, chest and knees when trying to stop the utility vehicle rolling down a steep driveway. It then hit a retaining wall.

The Bay of Plenty Times understands there was a young child in the vehicle at the time.

A St John spokesman said the vehicle started moving when parked in the driveway and the man had been injured trying to stop it rolling.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries.

One neighbour said he heard a loud bang, then saw the ute against the retaining wall. Another neighbour said he saw a man with bloody hands being escorted to an ambulance.

Three police cars were also at the scene at the time of the crash but a Police Northern Communications spokesperson said there was no information available about the incident.