Palmerston North police officer hit by vehicle

The story so far

The officer was put on a ventilator and airlifted to Wellington Hospital, and a second officer received minor injuries.^{22, 23 Aug} Two teenagers were charged, and the vehicle involved was reported as stolen.^{23, 24 Aug} Public donations for the officer's family passed $40,000 within days.^{25 Aug}

Latest

By early September the officer was recovering from a traumatic head injury and was due to move to a specialist facility, and donations had passed $80,000. By 1 October he was walking and talking, and expects another three to six months of rehabilitation, while two teenagers aged 14 and 15 have accepted responsibility for the crash on reduced charges.^{8 Sep; 2 Oct}

What's next

The officer expects another three to six months of rehabilitation.^{2 Oct}

Key moments

1. 22 AugOfficer struck by fleeing vehicle while laying road spikes near Palmerston North
2. 23 AugTwo teenagers charged; officer in stable but critical condition at Wellington Hospital
3. 25 AugPublic donations for the officer's family exceed $40,000
4. 8 SepOfficer recovering from head injury; donations pass $80,000
5. 2 OctOfficer walking and talking; teenagers accept responsibility on reduced charges

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.