Police officer critically injured after being hit by fleeing driver

A police officer is in a critical condition after being hit by a fleeing driver while laying road spikes in Palmerston North overnight.

Superintendent Dion Bennett said the driver had been signalled to stop at around 2am on Amberley Rd but failed to do so and allegedly fled.

"Minutes later, the vehicle, which was not being pursued, hit a police officer laying spikes on Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road."

The injured officer was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition, while a second was treated for minor injuries.

Live stream: Police are expected to speak from the capital at around 1.45pm

The occupants of the fleeing vehicle, both young people, were arrested at the scene.

A serious crash unit investigation has been carried out, and the road remains partially closed.

Police have launched a critical incident investigation.

"This work will take time, and we will share information when we are in a position to do so," Bennett said.

"In the meantime, we are wrapping support around the staff members involved and their whānau, as well as their colleagues."

Matthew McDonald, who lives across the road from where the crash happened, told 1News his wife woke him just after 2am after hearing sirens nearby.

"[I] came across the road and found a whole lot of vehicles parked up here — well, crunched up here."

By the time he reached the scene, a heavy police presence had already gathered.

"When I came across from my house, maybe there was four or five police cars already here."

He said he understood the car had then left the road, taking out part of a fence before coming to rest.

"The silver car left the road straight across the road from here and hit the police car and went through the fence and took out four concrete posts, and then landed up hard up against the concrete strainer."

In a statement to 1News, Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he would be travelling to Wellington today to offer his support.

"My thoughts go out to the injured officers, their family and colleagues.

"It is a tragic event where we have two injured police officers and one of them in a critical condition.

"I’d ask that people keep the injured officers and their family and colleagues in their thoughts and continue to support the dedicated work our officers do in our community every single day.

"Police are carrying out an investigation but it’s very early days and we need to give them room to do that."