Toddler run over in Whangarei

File Photo / APN

A toddler has been flown to Starship Hospital in a critical condition after he was hit by a car as he left a kindergarten in Whangarei today.

Witnesses said the 3-year-old was flung on to the bonnet of a passing car before landing on the ground on the busy Paramount Parade in Tikipunga about 12.30pm.

Sergeant Conan Brown of Whangarei police said the 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.

"She is being transferred to Auckland Starship Hospital."

APNZ understood the boy was being walked home from kindergarten when the accident happened.

The closest kindergarten - Tikipunga Kindergarten - would not comment this evening.

Head teacher Heidi Wrack told APNZ she could neither confirm nor deny whether the boy attended Tikipunga Kindergarten.

A resident at one of the houses close to the accident called the traffic flow along Paramount Parade "crazy".

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

"He just went outside to help."

Mrs Otene, who now lives in Auckland but grew up living on Paramount Parade, 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."

Mrs Otene also said that despite there being a school, kindergarten and pedestrian crossing on the road, cars did not adjust their speed as they drove through.