Girl still in coma after surgery

Hineraukura Fraaser-King. Photo / Supplied

A Rotorua girl hit by a ute 10 days ago remains in an induced coma in Auckland's Starship Hospital.

Hineraukura Fraser-King has undergone surgery on her back and leg.

The 5-year-old, who was hit by a ute in Rotorua on May 5, had an operation yesterday that was expected to last five hours.

Surgeons planned to insert screws into her back to stabilise her as they were unable to apply a neck brace because of her broken jaw. They were also putting screws into her broken right leg.

Hineraukura was critically injured when she ran into the path of a vehicle. She suffered head injuries, holes in her lungs and numerous broken bones, including a broken arm, leg, jaw and neck. The driver was not at fault.

Her grandfather, Anaru Fraser, said the family was "doing all right".

The Te Kura o te Koutu pupil, turns 6 on Thursday.

Her family had hoped she would be awake by then, but Mr Fraser said the doctors had no immediate plans to wake her.

"At the moment it's probably safest for her not to be [woken]," he said.

Facebook group "Operation Hine" has been set up by her family to share updates and now has more than 300 members who have posted messages of love and support.