what is this tense called?

[bednobs]

in my paper today there is an article about a hit and run driver which goes something lik this
"the police spokeswoman said" the witness hears a bang so she runs outside, she sees Giffin running off and calls the police"
Surely it would make more sense (as she is reporting something that happed in the past) to use past tense?
"the police spokeswoman said "the witness heard a bang so she ran outside and saw Giffin running off"
I notice it a lot recently - this wierd sort of in-betweeny tense. What's it called?

[bednobs]

i have no idea why i put this in news - sorry. If an ed is about can you move it to p&s please?

[DTCwordfan]

Bad English is what I would call it.

Yes, and it's not really News is it?

[mickrog]

i may be wrong but i remember a tense with tne term.....past historic.....could that be it?