Waikato Police are urging motorists and pedestrians to maintain their situational awareness after three serious crashes in three hours left one person dead, one child seriously injured and four people requiring medical attention.
The officer in charge of the North Hamilton Community Policing Centre, Sergeant Juliet Burgess, said emergency services were still dealing with the aftermath of a fatal pedestrian incident in Rototuna this afternoon when news came through of four people being treated by ambulance staff in Frankton.
"Around lunch time a 77-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries when she was struck down by a westbound BMW car as she crossed Thomas Rd towards Cate Rd.
"Then, as Police were working to establish what happened there ambulance staff advised of four people requiring treatment following a collision on Frankton's Greenwood St after a collision between an Isuzu Bighorn and a Volkswagen car about 2.30pm."
Ms Burgess said if emergency services didn't have enough to deal with by then they certainly did a short time later when a boy, believed to be aged six-years-old, was struck by a vehicle in the suburb of Nawton about 3.20pm.
"This incident happened on Dominion Rd near the intersection with Grange Ave and the boy was taken by ambulance to Waikato Hospital with serious leg injuries in a status two condition.
"With the festive season rapidly approaching Police are urging the public to be mindful of the risks associated around roads and vehicles and ask that they strive to maintain their situational awareness. One moment's lack of attention can lead to tragic consequences such as we've seen this afternoon."
Ms Burgess said the three incidents were not the best lead in to a Trans-Tasman policing operation focusing on alcohol and violence harm reduction that will see a highly visible Police presence not only in and around Hamilton but across the Waikato and indeed the country over the next two days.
"What we're urging people to do is to make the right decisions about keeping not only themselves safe but their friends as well.
"Ensure you arrange a way for everyone to get home safely and if you go into town in a group, make sure you come home in a group. We want everyone to have a good time over the weekend- but not at the expense of others."
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