Truck seriously hurts woman after row

The 29-year-old woman fell under the wheels of the dump truck and was taken to Middlemore Hospital. Photo / NZ Herald

A woman suffered serious head injuries when run over by her partner's truck as she tried to stop him leaving their house yesterday.

The couple had been arguing at their home in Tironui Station Rd East, Takanini, before the incident.

The 30-year-old man, believed to be a landscaper, left about 4.30pm in his four-tonne dump truck, which had about one tonne of supplies in the tray.

His partner ran alongside the truck yelling and trying to latch on, in an effort to make him stop. It is understood he did not know she was there.

The woman fell under the wheels.

St John spokesman Glen Taylor said the seriously hurt 29-year-old was taken to Middlemore Hospital.

Sergeant Dave Readings of Papakura station said officers were at the hospital last night to speak to the man, who was at his partner's side.

Police were trying to determine whether the argument "had any bearing on what occurred with the vehicle and the injuries she's received".

Mr Readings said the argument, which several neighbours heard, had not been physical.

Neighbours told the Herald the couple had been living in the house for only two to three weeks. They had at least two young children, who were not home at the time of the incident.

The youngsters had been taken to stay with relatives while their father was with their mother at the hospital.

Police said the truck was towed from the scene for forensic testing.

Mr Readings said the accident happened only "a couple of doors down" from the couple's house in the short cul-de-sac. The truck had been travelling only slowly.