Ute sought after ambulance collision

Police are looking for the driver of a ute which failed to stop after colliding with an ambulance in Waikato this afternoon.

The accident happened on Hinuera Road, near the intersection with Hopkins Road, 5km south of Matamata, at about 5pm, police said.

The ute appeared to lose control on a bend and crossed the centre line, striking the ambulance's left side.

It then continued towards Matamata without stopping.

The ambulance, which was transporting a patient with head injuries from Matamata to Waikato Hospital, had been driving below the speed limit with its emergency lights flashing.

Its driver managed to slow to about 20km/h before the collision, and the patient and crew were unhurt.

The ambulance was too badly damaged to continue, and another had to be dispatched to take the patient to hospital.

Matamata police would like to speak to the driver of the late model Toyota Hilux, which is likely to have some frontal damage, and possibly further damage down its left side.

The dark grey or blue ute has a flat deck with a distinctive dog box on the back.

- NZPA