Two teenage boys have been charged after a fleeing driver ploughed into an officer laying road spikes near Palmerston North yesterday, throwing him several metres through the air and leaving him critically injured.
The constable was deploying spikes on Kairanga Bunnythorpe Rd about 2am on Saturday when the vehicle struck him. He was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in a critical condition.
A second officer was treated for minor injuries.
Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said the officer remained on a ventilator but was stable.
"He's got talented doctors and nurses looking after him, but his recovery will take some time. He is in a stable condition and remains on a ventilator, but the hospital staff are doing everything they can for him," Bennett said.
The officer was laying road spikes near Palmerston North when the vehicle, allegedly stolen and carrying two teens, struck him and another officer. (Source: 1News)
He described the injured officer as a family man with strong support around him.
"He is a great family man. In his mum's words, he's a good bloke - and we think so too. There is no shortage of love and support pouring in for him.
"His family are by his side and staying incredibly strong for him, and we're also doing everything we can to support them as they navigate this awful situation."
The older of the two teenagers, the alleged driver, faces charges of theft, failing to stop, dangerous driving and reckless driving causing injury.
The second teenager has been charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
Both are due to appear in the Palmerston North Youth Court on August 27.
Police said they were limited in what further information they could provide about the case before the court.
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