The driver of a car who hit a toddler in a Hamilton suburb last night was dragged from his vehicle and beaten by a crowd of people.
Police commander Greg Nicholls said it was thought the one-year-old was chasing another child on a bike and ran out in front of the car on Spenser Road in Enderley just after 9pm.
The child escaped with superficial injuries, but the driver was attacked and injured before escaping to a nearby house.
Inspector Nicholls said the driver did the right thing in stopping, and it was completely unacceptable for people to take matters into their own hands.
He said the police were investigating.
The police said both the child and the driver have now been released from hospital.
