Tumble to blame for woman's 'hit-and-run' injuries

A woman is in hospital with serious injuries after falling while trying to punch the driver of a car in South Auckland yesterday.

Police were at first told the 11.40am incident in Preston Rd, Otara, was a hit-and-run after a witness reported seeing a woman hit by a dark green 1991 Ford Telstar.

But Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said subsequent inquiries suggested the 33-year-old Otahuhu woman was running alongside the vehicle, punching the male driver through the window, when she tripped and hit her head.

She was bundled into the Ford by the driver, whom she knew, and taken to hospital two hours later in a different car.

She was found by police yesterday afternoon in Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition and was being transferred to Auckland Hospital neurological ward.

The driver fled from police through Middlemore Hospital grounds after he was found in Middlemore's emergency department about 2.30pm. A chase team which included tracker dogs and a helicopter were unable to catch him.

The driver was believed to be in the Mangere East area. Police described him as a Maori in his mid-30s, 175cm and of medium build. He had short hair, a moustache and crooked teeth and was wearing three quarter-length shorts and a bandage on his right lower leg.

Inspector Ian Brooker said the man was unlikely to be charged for the incident that caused the woman's injuries.

He said the Ford had been stolen and was allegedly used to commit various crimes during the past week.

- NZPA