Police interview driver after woman killed

An elderly woman has been hit by a car and killed north of Hamilton.

Senior Sergeant Pete Simpson said emergency services were called to the scene of the crash, near the intersection of Thomas Road and Cate Rd in Rototuna about midday.

``The crash is under investigation by the Waikato serious crash unit and initial indications suggest an elderly woman, believed to be aged 77 years old has been crossing Thomas Rd towards Cate Rd when she was struck by a westbound BMW car,'' he said.

The woman was taken in a critical condition to Waikato Hospital but died a short time later. The driver of the BMW, a male in his late teens, stopped at the scene and is was helping police with their enquiries.

Mr Simpson said it was too early to speculate on the circumstances of the crash but noted it was the third pedestrian death in Waikato this year.

He urged drivers and pedestrians to take care.

``We need to make sure everyone does their utmost to ensure the safe use of motor vehicles over the summer and prevent tragedies on our roads.''