SUV knocks cyclist into traffic, flees scene

Police are seeking witnesses to a hit-and-run in Highland Park which has left a woman in Middlemore Hospital's high dependency unit.

The cyclist was seriously injured when she was struck by a car and thrown into oncoming traffic about 9pm last night.

Police at the scene said the cyclist had been walking with her bike along a median strip on Aviemore Drive, near the intersection with Bradbury Rd when she was hit by a white SUV, which then fled the scene.

Police are appealing for the driver or any witnesses to come forward as the serious crash investigation unit pieces together the events leading to the accident.

The woman was taken to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

She is currently in a stable condition in the hospital's high dependency unit.

The crash came after a serious accident in Helensville.

Three people were injured in a dramatic collision that left both vehicles "totally disintegrated", a witness said.

A witness at the scene said both vehicles had been flattened. Photo / Daniel Hines

Emergency services were called to the scene on State Highway 16, in Auckland, of a two-car crash at about 7.45pm last night.

The critically injured patient and another with moderate injuries were airlifted to Auckland City Hospital.

A third person was taken to the same hospital via ambulance in a moderate condition.

All three are now in a stable condition.A witness at the scene said both vehicles had been flattened, with the engine of one of the cars ripped out and thrown about 100m away.

"I've never seen anything like it. They're totally disintegrated - there's engine bits everywhere."

The engine of one of the cars was reportedly ripped out and thrown 100m away. Photo / Daniel Hines