A boy is in an induced coma in hospital after he was run over by a four-wheel drive on NSW's Central Coast.
Emergency services were called to a Umina Beach intersection just after 7pm on Friday following reports a vehicle and a pushbike had collided.
A 12-year-old boy, who was being carried on the bike's handlebars, sustained significant head injuries as he was pulled under the 4WD in the crash.
He was airlifted to the Sydney Children's Hospital in a critical condition.
The boy underwent surgery and was stable but in an induced coma on Saturday morning, Detective Chief Inspector John Zdrilic said.
The bike's rider, an 11-year-old boy, was also hospitalised in Gosford in a stable condition with leg injuries.
Neither child was wearing a helmet.
"This could have been a far more tragic incident than it has turned out to be," Det Insp Zdrilic told reporters on Saturday.
"Incidents like this are a timely reminder for all road users, whether you're on a bike or a vehicle, to be aware and to be vigilant when you're using the road."
The driver of the 4WD, a 59-year-old woman, was not injured but was still taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
She produced a negative breath test at the scene.
"The driver was shaken up as would be expected," Det Insp Zdrilic said. "She has assisted police with their inquiries."
