Tip offs help identify 'Dave'

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier. Photo/file

UPDATED 2.48pm: Mysterious ''Dave'' has been identified.

Tauranga police expressed gratitude this afternoon at the number of people who called in and provided information which aided them in identifying a man seriously injured and only known as ''Dave''.

''Dave'' had collapsed shortly after walking into a cental Tauranga business at 9.30pm last night and was in a serious but stable condition at Tauranga Hospital today.

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said "we received numerous calls from the public which meant that we were able to positively identify Dave early this afternoon."

"It's great that the community responded in the way that they did and so quickly to our call for assistance and we thank them."

Dave remains in a stable but serious condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

1.10pm: A mystery man only known as 'Dave' remains in a critical but stable condition in Tauranga Hospital but police are no closer at finding out who he is.

Police this morning appealed for anyone who might know the man who collapsed in a central city business last night to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said the man, believed to be about 44 years old, collapsed after walking into the central city business about 9.30pm and was now in a critical but stable condition at hospital.

Staff at the business, which has asked not to be identified, told police the man had only just entered the doorway before his collapse, when they tended to him and called an ambulance.

The man's serious condition meant he has only been able to tell police the name ''Dave''.

Mr Brazier said the man had ''no documentation whatsoever'' such as a driver's licence and he had no distinguishable or easily identifiable marks or tattoos.

''There is some signs that ambulance staff may have dealt with him before, so we are in talks with St John about that,'' Mr Brazier said.

''Unfortunately, we don't have a hell of a lot to go on at the moment.''

Mr Brazier said police would appreciate any help the public could offer in recognising the man.

Mr Brazier said police were reluctant to release a photo of the man at this stage due to medical treatment obscuring parts of his face.

The man is described as a european, medium to solid build with short dark hair and wearing grey coloured shorts with a brown belt with a black coloured 'Norsewear' brand jacket and grey/black coloured short-sleeved collar tee shirt.

EARLIER: Police are seeking help to identify a mystery man who is in Tauranga Hospital after collapsing in the central city last night.

The man has been described as about 44 years old, european, medium to solid build with short dark hair and wearing grey coloured shorts with a brown belt with a black coloured 'Norsewear' brand jacket and grey/black coloured short-sleeved collar tee shirt.

Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said the man collapsed about 9.30pm at a local business premises and managed to give the name ''Dave'' but can no longer speak due to his condition.

''He had no identification with him and we would really like help from the public to identify this man,'' Mr Brazier said.

"He is in a stable but serious condition and we are not treating the circumstances surrounding his condition as suspicious.''

The man was not known to the occupants of the business premise where he was found.

If anyone can provide any information to help in identifying 'Dave', please call Tauranga Police on (07) 577 4300.