Four pedestrians hit in Auckland over two days

Police attend the scene of theaccident in Orewa. Photo / Brett Phibbs, NZ Herald

A female pedestrian hit by a vehicle and injured in Auckland is the latest in four similar incidents over the past two days.

Police were called to the scene at 12.50pm today after a woman was struck by a vehicle on Mt Eden Rd. She suffered moderate injuries, police said.

The woman was crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing, between the Esplanade and Mt Eden Road, when she was struck.

She was treated at the scene for minor bruising and released.

"Road users, which includes drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists all need to drive to the conditions," said Acting Inspector David Hines.

"In the case of drivers travel at a safe speed for the road and conditions, the posted speed limit is not a target and is the maximum speed for that road. If it's wet and visibility is reduced then reduce your speed."

Pedestrians also had a responsibility and should use marked crossings when available, he said.

"Check that vehicles are actually going to stop before entering the crossing.

"They also need to need to take care that they are not distracted by texting or having iPods playing so that they are aware of what is actually happening around them on the road," he said.

Road safety charity Brake is appealing to drivers to look twice for people on foot, bicycle and motorcycle after the series of crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians.

"We're extremely saddened to hear of a number of road crashes involving people out and about on foot in the last few days," said Caroline Perry, Brake's New Zealand director.

"Pedestrians and cyclists are some of our more vulnerable road users, and when we're behind the wheel we need to remember to look for people on foot and bicycle, particularly at this time of year when they can be harder to spot due to weather conditions and reduced visibility.

"People on foot and bike should also remember to give roads their full attention, but in the end they are the ones who come off worse in the event of a crash, whilst drivers are offered some protection from their vehicle, so drivers have a responsibility to look out for them and do everything they can to avoid tragedy."

Two other pedestrians have died and one is in hospital in a serious condition after they were hit by vehicles in separate incidents over the past two days.

An elderly woman was fatally injured when she was hit by a van in Orewa yesterday afternoon.

She was crossing the road when she was struck near Hillary Square about 1.30pm. Bystanders provided first aid but she died at the scene.

It is believed the driver of the van was leaving the Hillary Square car park and turned right onto the road before hitting the woman.

Police said the driver was very shaken.Last night, a person was taken to hospital after being hit by a bus on Albert St in central Auckland about 7.30pm.

Inspector Chris Tate of the police northern communications said the person suffered head injuries in the accident and was in a serious condition.

Meanwhile, Hillcrest resident Robert Su, aged 33, died in Auckland City Hospital after he was hit by a truck on Fanshawe St, in the central city, on Tuesday night.

Mr Su was an employee of the ASB Bank.ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman said Mr Su was popular among his colleagues.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of Robert's tragic accident.

"He was a much loved and popular member of the ASB team who will be sadly missed among his many friends and colleagues," she said.

"Our thoughts are with his friends and family."