Praise for rush to help Oamaru crash victim

The Honda vehicle involved in the Oamaru crash. Photo / Rebecca Ryan, Otago Daily Times

Police have praised the actions of members of the public who rushed to the aid of an Oamaru teenager hit by a car at a pedestrian crossing on State Highway 1 yesterday.

About 11.45am, a 15 year old girl was crossing Thames Highway, at the crossing between Rainbow Confectionery and New World in Oamaru's north end, when she was struck by a north bound Honda, Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said.

She was knocked unconscious and received multiple serious injuries.

Sgt Woodbridge said several members of the public rushed to the girl's side - some giving her first aid and others directing traffic from the north and the south - before emergency services arrived.

''They did an awesome job, I can't thank them enough,'' Sgt Woodbridge said.

The teenager was taken to Oamaru Hospital by ambulance and was then airlifted to Dunedin Hospital about 2pm.

Sgt Woodbridge said the teenager had regained consciousness, but remained in a serious condition.

The driver of the car, an elderly Oamaru woman, was not injured, but very shaken by the crash and in shock, Sgt Woodbridge said.

The crash was in a 50kmh zone and road and weather conditions at the time were clear.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.