Blue vehicle linked to tunnel hit-and-run

Forensic testing of clothing worn by the victim of a Wellington bus tunnel hit-and-run two weeks ago has revealed a blue coloured vehicle was involved in the accident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thornton of Wellington CIB said finding the vehicle with this coloured paint was crucial in helping to find the hit-and-run driver.

Wellington man Earl Krayskopf was walking through the bus-only tunnel at the top of Pirie Street as a shortcut through Mt Victoria to his home in the early morning of January 31.

He was hit from behind by a vehicle also using the tunnel as an illegal shortcut and received multiple serious injuries.

The accident happened between 3.15am and 4am.

Mr Krayskopf is still in intensive care at Wellington Hospital and requires further surgery to repair injuries to his lower body.

Mr Thornton said very little information had come in from people who were in the Mt Victoria area at the time Mr Krayskopf was injured.

"We hope that the paint analysis from fragments on the victim's jacket may focus public attention to a blue vehicle that has recently been damaged.

"From the extent of the victim's injuries and the paint fragments on his clothing we know that the vehicle involved will have some body or paint work damage."

- NZPA