Waikato Police say it may be some time before they establish the most appropriate way to formerly acknowledge the actions of officers and members of the public following two incidents that left a pedestrian seriously injured and the driver of a car requiring rescue from the Waikato River today.
District on-call manager, Acting Detective Inspector Ross McKay, said the two incidents are linked and began about 11.55am.
"At this time a male pedestrian has been run over by a car driven by his 44-year-old female partner at the Ohaupo Rd shops buy the intersection with Normandy Ave.
"The driver was described by witnesses as driving over the victim a number of times before fleeing, leaving the man with serious injuries. A witness has followed the offender's car to Cobham Dr and contacted 111, keeping an eye on the vehicle until Police arrived."
Mr McKay said when officers arrived the woman has driven her car over a bank, estimated to be about 10m high, into the Waikato River.
"Four officers have entered the water to get the woman out and assisted by a member of the public, the driver was bought to shore and taken to Waikato Hospital in a status four condition.
"In addition to the officers and the person on the kayak, the occupants of two boats also assisted in the rescue and we will need to assess just what the most appropriate form of recognition will be for those involved, once the vehicle has been recovered."
Mr McKay said the operation to recover the vehicle will take place tomorrow and will involve the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad and the local Harbour Master.
"Today's rescue follows on from Last weekend's rescue of a 14-year-old girl from the Waipa River at Otorohanga by three of our staff, so the public of the Waikato have every right to feel they are being well served by their Police.
"Sadly just seven days out from White Ribbon Week, today's incident also highlights the dangers associated with domestic violence and Police urge anyone who feels unsafe in their home situation to seek help."
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