Motorists claim man found dead on the side of a Takanini road was a hitchhiker

A motorist who saw a man hitchhiking in Takanini minutes before a pedestrian was killed nearby says she feels sick for not stopping for him.

The woman told Stuff she saw the man walking along Popes Rd in Takanini and "felt sick" for not stopping after hearing a man was hit on the road by a car.

The woman drove past the man at 7pm on the same road and saw him "clear as day", wondering how another motorist hit the man.

However, police said the man could have died before he was hit by a car on Saturday night.

The post-mortem was completed today and police are still making inquiries into the matter, a police spokesperson said.

Another motorist said the man was on the left-hand side of the road closer to Mill Rd with his arm out towards Takanini.

"I saw a glimpse of his red-checkered shirt. He was hidden in the dark till you got a bit closer," the motorists said.

"He didn't look around or anything, just head down while walking and arm was up."

Emergency services were first called at 7.20pm last night after reports said a pedestrian had been hit by a car on Popes Rd.

"On arrival, Police found a man deceased," a police spokesperson said.

"Initial indications are that the man was already deceased on the road when hit by the driver who contacted emergency services.

"We would, however, like to hear from anyone who saw a man wearing a red-checked shirt and jeans hitchhiking along Popes Rd".

Police will not release any further details into the incident as there are still family members to be notified of his death.

A spokesperson said they would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the man hitchhiking in the area around 7pm and 7.30pm yesterday.

"Anyone with information that can assist our inquiries is asked to call Counties Manukau Crime Squad on 09 261 1321."