A man is lucky to be alive following a hit-and-run in central Wanganui on Monday night.
He was on his motorcycle travelling east on Pitt Street at about 10.40pm when a car travelling north on Liverpool Street collided with him at an intersection.
The driver of the car fled the scene, and police are appealing for the public's help in finding them.
The motorcyclist was flung across the road from the force of the crash and suffered serious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to the Whanganui Hospital and was in a stable condition.
A family member who had returned to the scene looking for keys said he was due for surgery yesterday. The motorcyclist was travelling home from a friend's house, they said.
"You don't expect something like this to happen to a family member."
Police said the car was described as a black sedan with dark windows, 1990s model or later. It was last seen travelling north on Liverpool Street before turning left into Halswell Street towards St John's Hill. Constable Robert Parsons said police wanted to speak with the driver and any witnesses.
"The car would likely have received moderate damage to the front left corner as a result of the crash, and the impact of the crash would have been so large that it would have been impossible for the driver of the car not to notice," Mr Parsons said. "The motorcyclist is extremely lucky to still be alive and not suffer more serious injuries."
Anyone with information should contact Mr Parsons at Whanganui Police on 06 2134196. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Yesterday afternoon Wanganui Hospital said the motorcyclist remained in a stable condition.