Police locate driver after e-scooter rider critically hurt in alleged hit and run

Lime scooters and smashed glass visible on Symonds St following an accident that's left a person in a critical condition. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Police have located the driver of a vehicle who left the scene after their vehicle struck and critically injured a man on a Lime scooter in central Auckland.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kathryn Bostock said the driver was assisting police with
enquiries and the investigation remains ongoing.

The police commenced an investigation after a man reportedly fell off an e-scooter before being struck by a vehicle in Symonds St about 11.20pm last night.

The man is reported to have become unconscious as a result of the fall, Bostock said.

"A vehicle travelling on Symonds St was able to avoid the man, however a second vehicle following behind struck him.

The second vehicle did not remain on the scene and police earlier appealed for the driver or any witness to speak with police.

The man remains in a critical condition in hospital this evening.

St John was called at 11.14pm to the incident in Grafton. One ambulance responded and took the patient to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

A photographer at the scene spoke with a witness who said they had seen a car driving away not long after the crash.

At the crash scene two Lime scooters were seen lying in the road, with police marking their positions out with spray paint. Smashed red and white glass was visible in the road but no car was at the scene.

More than 2000 people have been injured on e-scooters since Lime began operating in Auckland last year.

Many of those injured had been drinking before they crashed, with a higher than normal proportion of brain injuries, studies have found.

In September Toben Hunt, 23, died after falling off a Lime scooter. His death was believed to be the first involving an electric scooter in New Zealand. Auckland Council said there was no suggestion of any mechanical failure.

Hunt's death has been referred to the Coroner.

Riding a scooter on the road not breaking the rules

Under NZ Transport Agency regulation, e-scooters can be ridden on roads or footpaths but not in cycle lanes as these are reserved solely for bicycles.

The NZTA is also be responsible for deciding whether helmets should be worn on e-scooters.

Auckland Transport and Auckland Council announced at the end of October that scooter ride-share companies like Lime would have their licences renewed but with additional safety rules.

Successful operators would be issued new licences in December, valid for six months, a council spokesperson told the Herald last week.

The council had no control over where people rode e-scooters, what speed they travelled at or whether riders had to wear a helmet, as that was part of the national road rules, she said.

It was hoped that during the six-month licensing period the Government would have developed regulations around e-scooters.

"We are very keen to see the Government accelerate work to tighten up the regulations around e-scooter use and will continue to advocate for changes to rules and legislation."

The council's Code of Practice for e-scooter operators included geo-fencing, where speed limits were applied in high use zones. All three operators in Auckland had implemented geo-fencing, she said.