Police officer in critical condition after being hit by fleeing vehicle
Saturday 22 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 6 reports · updated 
A police officer is in critical condition on a ventilator after being struck by a vehicle while laying road spikes near Palmerston North. The incident occurred around 2am on Saturday after a driver allegedly failed to stop. A second officer sustained minor injuries, and the injured officer was airlifted to Wellington Hospital.
How they headlined it
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Stuff
Police officer in critical condition after being hit by fleeing driver (opens in new tab)
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1News
Officer on ventilator after being hit by teens in allegedly stolen car (opens in new tab)
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NZ Herald
Police say critically injured officer is young dad, fleeing teens aged 14 and 15 (opens in new tab)
More on Palmerston North police officer hit by vehicle
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- Police officer in ICU after being struck by stolen vehicle