Police tight-lipped after man hospitalised in hit-and-run

Photo / File

Police are revealing little information about a hit-and-run that left a Bay of Plenty teenager in hospital, as they hunt for the driver of ute believed to be responsible.

The 19-year-old was today in Waikato Hospital, surrounded by loved ones and in a stable condition, after receiving serious injuries when he was struck on Te Tumu Rd, in Paengaroa, just after 9.30pm last night.

Police say the young man was hit by a grey-black, flat deck ute that was heading east and had a drum on its tray.

St John spokeswoman Victoria Hawkins said three ambulances attended the incident following multiple calls.

"One said he had been hit by a car and another one said they had just come across him lying unconscious on the road."

Detective senior sergeant Lew Warner could give away little about the police investigation, which was still to net the driver.

"I don't want to go there because I'll let the person know that I'm looking for them, but we are doing quite a few things...enquiries are ongoing is all I'm prepared to say."

Mr Warner could also not shed any light on what the young man had been doing on the road.

"We are still making inquiries in relation to it obviously - because he's in hospital we haven't been able to talk to him at this stage."

Police had still to interview a number of witnesses, but all were at hospital at the bedside of the young man.

Nearby residents contacted by the Herald knew little about the incident, which occurred near the meeting point of a rural road lined with kiwifruit orchards and busy State Highway 2.

Wes Archer, who manages nearby Kiwi Corral Te Puke Backpackers Hostel, was unaware of any campers witnessing incident and didn't realise anything had happened until he noticed some white dotted lines painted on the road this morning.

Maketu fire brigade chief fire officer Shane Beech said his crew attended the incident later in the night to provide lighting for the police.

Mr Beech said the spot used to be problematic for traffic congestion before it was upgraded, but he was unaware of any pedestrians having ever been struck there previously.

Mr Warner said he hoped to receive more information from any other people who might have witnessed the incident.

Police would like to speak to any witnesses who saw the incident or have any information, as well as the driver of the utility. Contact police on (07) 577 4300 or call anonymous hotline Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.