KEY POINTS:
A man was assaulted before he was accidentally hit by a taxi in Napier early yesterday say police, who initially treated the incident as a hit-and-run.
Detective Emmet Lynch said today the 34-year-old man was involved in an altercation with three others on the footpath in Milton Road after attending a party.
He was hit by the taxi about 1.30am.
Police had not been able to ask the man what he was doing on the road, because of his condition.
"Either he's fallen, or he's been pushed, maybe he was fleeing from being assaulted. Perhaps he may have walked into (the taxi)," Mr Lynch said.
The victim remained in intensive care at Hawke's Bay Hospital today. although his condition was no longer critical.
The street was hilly and poorly lit and the taxi driver did not see the local man until it was too late, Mr Lynch said.
Police spoke with two "key witnesses" today, who were able to give more detailed descriptions of the alleged offenders.
One was described as a slightly built Maori, about 16 years-old, with short hair. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a white skull and crossbone on the front, black jeans and white shoes.
The second was a dark skinned Maori or Polynesian, aged about 16. He had his hair tied in a ponytail with two curly lengths down each side of his face.
The third was a Maori aged about 17, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. His hair was bushy at the back and had a blond/peroxide look to it.
Police hoped to interview the victim either tomorrow or Wednesday, Mr Lynch said.
He urged anyone who recognised the offenders from the descriptions to contact police.
- NZPA
