Rotorua man critical after being hit by car

Scene of the crash near Katikati. Photo/Sonya Bateson

A Rotorua man is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a car while walking near Katikati.

A Waikato Hospital spokeswoman said the 50-year-old was in intensive care after he was transferred from Tauranga Hospital about 9.30pm yesterday.

The man had been walking on Wharawhara Rd when he was hit by car about 2.30pm yesterday.

Senior Constable John Fitzgerald, of Katikati, said it appeared a car had lost control and hit the pedestrian who witnesses said had been walking on the side of the road.

The driver of the car that hit the man was uninjured but shaken, Mr Fitzgerald said.

Police said a caller had alerted police to the crash by saying a man had been hit by a vehicle and was lying on the road, about 100m from the intersection with State Highway 2.

The man was taken to Tauranga Hospital by ambulance.

Mr Fitzgerald said the cause of the crash was being investigated.