A driver hit the back of an ambulance in the Wanganui central city yesterday, then fled - leaving behind a number plate.
St John paramedics were heading through the intersection of Guyton St and St Hill St towards Victoria Ave with sirens and lights going when the crash happened.
Witness Paul Brooks said all traffic had stopped to let the ambulance through.
"One car kept going and hit the rear left of the ambulance, just behind the back wheel, bounced off and, as the ambulance passed, it drove off," Mr Brooks said.
Another witness heard a noise and looked to see the ambulance get "bumped".
"I thought it had hit a bollard on the corner," he said.
Though the car didn't hang around, its number plate was knocked off in the crash.
The paramedics were not hurt but had to dispatch another ambulance to the job they were heading to.