Intoxicated pedestrian seriously injured in Roxburgh

Police are investigating a serious traffic crash involving a car and pedestrian which occurred on SH8 approx 1 km north of Roxburgh at 12.40am this morning 3 February 2008. 

A 44 year old Roxburgh man was walking north along a footpath beside the road when it appears he has wandered onto the roadway and into the path of a vehicle also travelling north. 

After speaking with witnesses at the scene Police believe the pedestrian was quite intoxicated and had previously been seen walking on the roadway a short time prior to the incident. 

The area involved is poorly lit and he was wearing dark clothing at the time. 

The driver of the vehicle involved a 17 year old Roxburgh youth stopped immediately and the vehicle occupants rendered first aid until the arrival of emergency services. 

Alcohol and speed are not believed to be factors with the vehicle driver. 

The pedestrian was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital where he remains in a critical condition. 

His name will not be released until all family members are notified. 

SH8 was closed for approx 3 hours with diversions in place but has now re-opened.

POLICE NAME PEDESTRIAN HIT BY CAR NEAR ROXBURGH
Police have named a pedestrian critically injured after he was hit by a car near Roxburgh early today.

He is 44-year-old Herewini Nathan Walsh Waaka (known as `Mac') of Coal Creek RD1 Roxburgh.

Mr Waaka remains in a critical condition in Dunedin Hospital. Earlier police said Mr Waaka wandered on to a road in the Central Otago town.

Detective Ian Kerrisk said the incident happened at 12.40am about 1km north of Roxburgh and it appeared the man had wandered off the footpath and into the path of a vehicle.

"After speaking with witnesses at the scene, police believe the pedestrian was quite intoxicated and had previously been seen walking on the roadway a short time prior to the incident," Mr Kerrisk said.

"The area involved is poorly lit and he was wearing dark clothing at the time."

The driver, a 17-year-old Roxburgh youth, stopped immediately and his passengers gave first aid until emergency services arrived.

Alcohol and speed were not believed to be factors with the driver.