Pedestrian struck by vehicle then police car in Northland

How a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and then by a following police patrol car is under investigation by Northland police.

The 43-year-old man, believed to be from Auckland, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries predominantly to his lower body and legs and remained in a stable condition in Whangarei Hospital. Officers were trying to contact his family members.

Road Policing Manager Inspector Murray Hodson said emergency services were called to SH1, about 1km from Kaikohe, about midnight yesterday but said it appeared neither driver was at fault.

"The crash is currently under investigation by the serious crash unit, however initial indications are that the incident happened in an area controlled by a 100km/h speed limit," Mr Hodson said.

"It appears that a member of the public was driving west along SH12, followed by a marked police car, when the first vehicle has run over a man wearing dark clothing who had been lying on the road."

A following police car, about 50 metres behind, has then run over the man.

Mr Hodson said it had not yet been established why the man was lying in the road and police understood the man had been drinking alcohol before he was found in the westbound lane.

Initial investigations had revealed the speed of the vehicles at the time was about 75-80km/h and the police patrol was not in urgent duty driving at the time of the crash.

Mr Hodson said as well as being investigated by police, the matter has been reported to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

"Indications are at this stage neither driver would have been able to take evasive action to avoid hitting the prone man and our enquiry examining the actions of both drivers will continue," Mr Hodson said.

It is not the first time a person lying on the road has been struck by a vehicle in Northland.

In September 2012

Thomas Joseph Rerekura, of Whirinaki, known as Tom-Tom, died on an unlit section of State Highway 12 at Whirinaki, in south Hokianga, about 8.45pm, after being struck by a vehicle.

A post mortem examination revealed the 45-year-old's injuries were due to being run over, rather than being hit by a vehicle.