Albany death: Police suspect hit-and-run, appeal for sightings of damaged vehicle

Police now believe a person found on a road in rural Albany may have died in a hit-and-run and are appealing for sightings of a Mazda vehicle that may have been travelling in the area early this morning.

Police said they were called around 12.30am to find the person unresponsive, outside an address on O’Brien Rd in Lucas Heights, on Auckland’s North Shore towards Coatesville.

A police spokesperson said it appears the driver of the vehicle involved did not stop and immediately left the scene, but investigations are still underway into the circumstances of the death.

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Waitematā East detective senior sergeant Dave Nimmo said police completed the scene examination this afternoon and enquiries are underway to identify and locate the driver and vehicle involved.

”The investigation team have located parts from a Mazda motor vehicle, which is believed to have come from the vehicle involved in this fatality,” Nimmo said.

”Police are seeking the community’s assistance in identifying anyone with, or any sightings of, a Mazda vehicle with recent front damage, which may have been travelling in the wider Coatesville area during the early hours of this morning.

”We are asking for the public’s assistance to help us locate the driver or vehicle involved. Anyone in the area who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information - including CCTV or dashcam footage – is asked to contact police immediately.”

Nimmo said the driver of the vehicle may have panicked following the incident and is urging that person to make contact with police.

The vehicle also may have suffered noticeable damage.

Police cars blocked off part of O'Brien Rd, while the Police Eagle helicopter hovered overhead. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Last night, cordons were set up blocking O’Brien Rd between Coatesville-Riverhead Highway and Ridge Rd, while the police helicopter hovered overhead.

A forensic photographer was seen entering the scene shortly after 2.20am.

Ambulance staff attended the incident in the early hours of the morning but the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Police via its 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, using Update My Report.

Please reference file number 231208/4800. Additionally, any CCTV or dashcam footage can be uploaded here: https://wickham.nc3.govt.nz/

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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