Police officer making progress after being hit by fleeing driver

A police officer is showing signs of improvement after being critically injured by a fleeing vehicle. The officer was struck on Kairanga Bunnythorpe Road near Palmerston North at approximately 2am on 22 August while laying road spikes. He was thrown several metres and airlifted to Wellington Hospital's neurology ward with a traumatic head injury.

Superintendent Dion Bennett stated that the officer is surrounded by family and that "his recovery could take some time". The officer will eventually move to a specialist medical facility for ongoing head injury recovery.

Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, have been charged in relation to the incident. The older teenager faces charges including theft, failing to stop, dangerous driving, wounding with reckless disregard, and reckless driving causing injury. The second teenager has been charged with unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle. Both youths appeared in Palmerston North Youth Court and were granted bail.

More than $80,000 has been raised via a GiveALittle page to support the officer's family. The fundraising effort was launched by Dame Therese Walsh, and more than 1,400 individual donors have contributed to the fund.

Where reports differ

• Reports differ on the specific charges against the older teenager, with one listing wounding with reckless disregard and another including theft and failing to stop

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, 1News and Stuff.