Toddler improving after being hit by car

File Photo / APN

A pre-schooler who was hospitalised after being hit by a car as he was leaving Whangarei kindergarten remains in hospital but his condition has improved.

The 3-year-old was flown to Starship Hospital in a critical condition on Friday following the incident, in which witnesses said he was flung onto the bonnet of a passing car before landing on the ground on busy Paramount Pde in Tikipunga at about 12.30pm.

He was today in a serious but stable condition, said a Starship spokesman.
Sergeant Conan Brown said boy was walking with his mother when he ran out onto the road and was hit: "The vehicle was unable to stop in time''.

Mr Brown said the boy suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Whangarei hospital in a family member's vehicle.

Deena Otene, whose parents live on Paramount Pde, said her father ran outside when he heard screams.

Mrs Otene said her parents put gates up outside their home due to the heavy traffic along the road.

"It's a very busy road and there are no traffic lights or speed bumps around here. Traffic comes through really fast.''

Even though there was a school, kindergarten and pedestrian crossing on the road, cars did not adjust their speed as they drove through, she said.