Woman run over in front of son, 8

A woman is critical after being run over by a vehicle in front of her eight-year-old son in a suspected robbery at an Auckland shopping centre this afternoon.

The middle-aged woman and her son were in the Manukau Shopping Centre car park when it was believed her handbag was snatched.

As the offender fled in a white 4x4, the vehicle ran over her.

Inspector Gary Hill said the woman was admitted to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital where her condition was reported to be critical tonight.

He appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.

- NZPA