Woman injured after being hit by car in central Rotorua

The crash happened in Rotorua's central business district. Photo / Google Maps

Police are on the hunt for the driver of a car that hit a woman in Rotorua's CBD this morning.

Witnesses have described the moment the middle-aged woman was thrown over a van, landing face first on the road.

Courier Post driver Toni Blight said she was parked on Pukuatua St about 11.10am with her hazard lights on talking through her window to her friend, who works at New Zealand Post.

''I was actually going to get out and do a delivery but my friend was talking to me at my window.''

Then the car just came racing up the road, she said.

''She saw it at the last minute but it was coming straight for her. I don't think he saw her. She went right over my van, hit the rear vision mirror and went face flat onto the road.''

Courier Post driver Toni Blight says her friend was thrown across her van and onto the pavement after being hit by a car this morning. Photo/Carmen Hall

Ms Blight said the driver stopped and asked if he could help ''but then he disappeared''.

''I feared the worse ... And my friend got a very big fright.''

Tia Tia Tomar said she was walking to the library when she saw the incident.

''It was absolutely terrifying because the lady was quite old and she was struck with speed. He actually hit her full on and she has fallen onto the road.''

The victim, whose face was bloodied, was looked after by staff at McLeods Booksellers before an ambulance and police arrived.

A police spokeswoman said police were called to the scene at 11.15am.

''A pedestrian was hit by a car outside Cash Converters and sustained moderate injuries.''

She said the car left the scene but ''we have since located it''.

Inquiries were ongoing to find the driver, she said.