Traffic light pole fatality: Police ask witnesses to come forward
Photo:
RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Police want to speak to anyone who helped at the scene of a crash with a traffic light pole that killed a pedestrian in Hamilton on Thursday.
Police believe a gold ute is the vehicle involved in the crash.
They are appealing for a woman wearing pink who assisted at the scene moments after the incident unfolded about 10am.
Waikato police launched a homicide investigation just hours after a woman's death at the corner of Ōhaupō Rd and Kahikatea Dr, a major city thoroughfare where State Highway 1 intersects with SH3.
RNZ understands the 30-year-old victim had two children.
Police have not named her yet, but tributes have been flowing online.
One person wrote: "I know we didn't talk much after you left (Christchurch) but I will always remember our friendship and the fun we had and the trouble we got into. I thought about you often, you were one person that truly knew me. Fly high my friend."
Another said he was with the woman in her final moments and tried to apply pressure to her injuries until the ambulance arrived.
He said he laid flowers at an island within the intersection.
The Ōhaupō Rd and Kahikatea Dr intersection in Melville, Hamilton where a ute hit the pole on Thursday, killing a 30-year-old pedestrian.
Photo:
Googlemaps
A funeral notice said the family would hold a private service.
The intersection, directly below Waikato Hospital, was closed while specialist investigators remained at the scene for several hours.
Police said they were continuing to appeal to those who may have seen the incident to come forward.
Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said the victim was standing next to a traffic light pole when the vehicle drove into it.
"Police have received a steady flow of information from the public, but are keen to speak with those who may have witnessed the incident, or any prior interactions between the offending gold ute and the woman who died.
"In particular we would like to speak to a female wearing pink who assisted at the scene."
He asked that witnesses contact police at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking "Update Report" or by calling 105, using the reference number 250515/6763.
The incident was initially reported as a two-vehicle crash, but police have since confirmed another vehicle was not involved.
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