A woman sustained serious injuries in a violent roadside assault in Greymouth before her alleged attacker attempted to flee.
Police were alerted to the family harm attack on Main South Rd, Karoro, about 4.45pm on Monday.
Senior Sergeant Mark Kirkwood, of Greymouth, said the 40-year-old man punched and kicked the woman in the head. She was taken to Te Nikau, Grey Hospital and Health Centre with serious injuries.
The man had his hands on the roof of the car and was doing fly kicks into the vehicle, towards her head.
A window in the vehicle was smashed in the attack, Snr Sgt Kirkwood said.
The alleged assault took place in a grey Nissan car on the main highway, and police want to speak to as many witnesses as possible.
‘‘When police turned up she had blood all over her face and her face was very swollen. It was certainly aviolent situation,’’ Snr Sgt Kirkwood said.
He said the man had bolted, but through police inquiries was found about 1km away attempting to get a ride in a another vehicle.
Police were keen to hear from anyone with information about the incident.
- GEORGIA O'CONNOR-HARDING
