The police officers were struck on Kairanga Bunnythorpe Rd just outside Palmerston North early Saturday morning. Image \/ Google Maps<\/p>\n
A car containing two youths aged 14 and 15 crashed into the police car he and a colleague were standing behind, sending the officer flying into another vehicle.<\/p>\n
Walsh, who was a wing patron for police in late 2023, got in touch with the man\u2019s family after news broke, and has been acting as a spokeswoman for them.<\/p>\n
She said the man\u2019s partner and mother this morning told her they were \u201coverwhelmed with the generosity that has come through the last few days\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt means a lot to the family and takes a whole lot of pressure off while they focus on him. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey appreciate the cost of living challenges for everyone and how hard things are, so they really wish to acknowledge any financial donations that have been given and for those that can\u2019t and aren\u2019t in a position to donate they still feel the love and support from those people,\u201d Walsh said.<\/p>\n
They were reading every message posted to the Givealittle page.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose messages have become a source of strength and are bolstering them when they are running on the fumes of oily rag.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family wanted supporters to know if they didn\u2019t reply it was because they \u201cdon\u2019t have the words\u201d or they were with the officer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey receive all the messages with an open heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
The officer remains in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit, and has not regained consciousness.<\/p>\n
Central district commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said police were extremely grateful the outcome wasn’t worse when two officers were struck by a stolen vehicle near Palmerston North.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey remain vigilant and hopeful … they think he\u2019s doing the best he can in the circumstances,\u201d Walsh said. <\/p>\n
The family are putting all their faith into the medical professionals looking after him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are in a holding pattern,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cThey\u2019re feeling a total sense of loss of control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re waking up every day with hope that they will see something change. They\u2019re a strong family unit, they\u2019re looking after each other and they\u2019re overwhelmed by the fact that New Zealanders care.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walsh said it was heartwarming that Kiwis could collectively provide the family with comfort through supportive messages and donations.<\/p>\n
At the time of publication, the Givealittle page has raised more than $42,000 for the man\u2019s family.<\/p>\n
Dame Therese Walsh has been speaking with the officer’s family and offering her support.<\/p>\n
The youths involved were charged with multiple offences, with the older charged with reckless driving causing injury.<\/p>\n