Police step up hit-and-run probe

Police are stepping up their hunt for a hit-and-run ute driver who killed a doctor at Helensville, north of Auckland, a week ago.

Extra police have been stopping motorists at checkpoints around Helensville and nearby Kumeu hoping to jog memories.

Dr Graham Robinson, 62, from Mairangi Bay, North Shore, was fatally injured after being hit by a white or cream Toyota Hilux ute which failed to stop last Wednesday.

He and a fellow doctor were in training to take part in a cycling event to raise money for heart research.

Police said they had spoken to the owners of several Hilux utes and ruled them out but were looking through the vehicle registry for more suspects.

Detective Mark Palma of Orewa police said the core team of eight officers was "constantly" receiving information from the public.

The suspect ute had a fibreglass canopy which may have been removed, he said.

Hundreds attended a funeral service for Dr Robinson yesterday.

Mourners were asked to make donations to the Heart Foundation.

His fundraising page at www.heartracer.org.nz had collected more than $8000 by this morning.

- NZPA