Worker's Serious Injuries Prompt Police Calls For Drivers To Slow Down At Road Works

Western Waikato Police are urging people to observe temporary speed limits put in place around road-works after a worker was struck by a vehicle near Pirongia on Friday night.

Acting Sergeant Jason Pope of the Te Awamutu Police said emergency services were called to the scene by the Pirongia Golf Course, on SH39, shortly after 9pm.

"The road-worker was moving road cones when he was struck from behind by a northbound vehicle which failed to stop.

"He was thrown off the left hand side of the road, where we believe he lost consciousness. When he has come to he struggled his way to the roadside on his hands and knees and was discovered by passing motorists who raised the alarm."

Mr Pope said the victim's troubles didn't end there as he subsequently had a seizure and the motorists who stopped were able to render first aid to the man and had to wait until emergency services arrived.

"He was transported to Waikato Hospital in a stable condition, with head, hip, and leg injuries and though serious, we are very lucky not to have ended up dealing with a fatality."

"Our victim had phoned Police to report motorists were travelling through the road-works at speed, which were clearly controlled by 30km/hr temporary speed signs, only minutes before he was struck down."

Mr Pope said it was believed the vehicle that hit the worker is likely to have left hand frontal damage and Police are appealing for the driver or any witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with any information on the identity of the driver is asked to contact Mr Pope at the Te Awamutu Police Station on 07 872 0100, alternatively information can be left anonymously on the CrimeStoppers crimeline, 0800 555111.

Last summer a number of close calls in areas of road-works were reported across the Waikato and Police want to remind motorists temporary speed limits are put in place to ensure the safety of everyone using the road.

ENDS

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