Last updated 18:29, June 14 2018
MARTY SHARPE/STUFF
The car that hit the pedestrian had visible dents after the crash.
The car that hit the pedestrian had visible dents after the crash.
A man has died after being hit by a vehicle in central Napier.
A Hawke's Bay police spokesman said the man, whose age was unknown, was hit on Maadi Rd in the suburb of Onekawa shortly before 4pm.
He is understood to have been using a pedestrian crossing when he was hit.
The incident occurred near Onekawa Park.
Witness Amanda Richardson said the pedestrian was hit by a young woman driving by herself.
The woman driving appeared to be in her late teens, whereas the victim looked to be in his late 50s or early 60s, and of Māori or Polynesian ethnicity, Richardson said.
The scene of the accident on Maadi Rd, Onekawa.
"[The] young girl was in shock as she tried phoning her family. All I could hear her say was 'I just didn't see him' repeatedly," she said.
Richardson had an appointment in the area, so was only there for about 10 minutes, but said it was "crazy intense".
"The people helping were amazing, and I only hope that they were praised for their best efforts to help the man," she said.
Witnesses said a female driver hit a man who was crossing the road.
"It was humbling to see a community pull together. They had his head wrapped, in the recovery position – not sure if he landed that way – and people were getting first aid kits and blankets out of their cars."
It is understood the man was crossing the road from Onekawa Park towards the Onekawa Shopping Centre on Maadi Rd.
A woman at the scene said the young woman was "driving straight into the sun" and she did not think the driver would have been able to see the man.
Trudy Lemmon, who was driving through the area after 4pm, said there were "lots of people in shock, screaming".
The hit pedestrian was "already in the ambulance" by that stage, she said.
There was a "huge" dent in the car that hit the pedestrian.
"It was the kids in my car with me I was more concerned about. I feel for the deceased person's family and the poor driver," Lemmon said.
Maadi Rd was blocked and diversions were in place about 4pm.
The Serious Crash Unit was investigating.