Teens in critical conditions after separate incidents

Police at the incident where a girl was run over near Rotorua. Photo / SNPA

Two teenagers struck by cars in separate incidents near Rotorua over the weekend remain in critical conditions in hospital.

Maxine Morrison, 17, suffered injuries including two punctured lungs, a broken leg and a fractured neck when she was hit by a car allegedly driven by her partner on State Highway 33 in Whangamarino, northeast of Rotorua, on Saturday.

Later that morning, a 16-year-old boy was struck by a tourist bus in Rotorua and suffered serious head injuries.

A Waikato Hospital spokeswoman said both teens were still in critical conditions in intensive care this morning.

Maxine's 19-year-old partner, with whom she has a 1-year-old child, is due to appear in Rotorua District Court today charged with driving with excess breath alcohol, careless driving causing injury and driving while suspended.

Maxine's sister Oreen told 3 News yesterday the incident happened at her 20th birthday party after an argument between Maxine and her partner.

Oreen said Maxine had her spleen removed at hospital and suffered two punctured lungs, a broken leg and a fractured neck in the incident.

Police have asked anyone who heard raised voices or a disturbance in the area early on Saturday morning to come forward.

Later on Saturday, a 16-year-old boy was hit by a tourist bus on Old Taupo Rd in Rotorua.

Police said he suffered serious head injuries in the crash about 11.30am.