Man killed after falling out of car

A young man was killed last night after falling out of a car which then left the scene of the accident.

The victim, a 24-year-old, was believed to have fallen out of the car as it went through the Verran's Corner roundabout on the North Shore at about 6.40pm.

Mobil employee Robin Osongco said he rushed outside after seeing a whole lot of commotion on Rangatira Rd.

"I saw a man lying down and I was told that he had been hit by a car. There was a lady crying. He was bleeding but still breathing."

Mr Osongco went back to the station and called for an ambulance while members of the public directed traffic away from where the man was lying face down on the road.

"Nobody wanted to move the man because they didn't know what to do."

A St John spokesman said the man was in a critical condition by the time the first ambulance arrived. Officers worked on him at the scene but were unable to save him.

Mr Osongco said he was told the man had a broken skull.

"Everybody was shocked. The lady, I don't know if she was with the man but she and a younger guy seemed very upset."

Police initially thought the death was due to a hit and run and released a description of the car that was last seen heading off towards Birkenhead.

However by 8pm they had located the car and said the driver was helping them with their enquiries.

Mr Loughlin said the enquiries revealed that the death appeared to have been caused by the man falling out of the car, not a hit and run as first thought.

He said three passengers were also in the car and they too were helping police with enquiries last night.

A post-portem to establish the exact cause of death was expected to be carried out today.