Police chase linked to crash in central city
Three people, including an 11-year-old child, were injured in a car crash in central New Plymouth yesterday that followed police pursuit.
In an emailed statement, Taranaki Area Commander Inspector Belinda Dewar said around 12:40pm police were called to a disorder incident involving a group of people in a New Plymouth suburb.
On arrival, police attempted to stop a car that was seen leaving the address. The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated, she said.
The pursuit was then abandoned due to the manner of driving.
Shortly after, the vehicle was seen speeding through central New Plymouth before crashing into another car at the intersection of Courtenay and Liardet streets, Dewar said.
A witness, who did not want to be named, said he was driving along the oneway as the events unfolded.
‘‘I looked in the rearview mirror and there were cops on either side of the street with flashing lights and sirens going.’’
Moments later a silver hatchback roared past him, he said.
‘‘It came flying up the left-hand lane, and he had to be doing at least 100kmh. They were absolutely flying,’’ he said.
‘‘He just went through a red light at the intersection and t-boned the other car.’’
The witness said he saw a shirtless man leap out of the speeding car and take off, running down the street.
However, police officers were quickly on the scene and gave chase.
Dewar said a man was arrested in relation to the incident and further inquiries were continuing.
Firefighters had to use the jaws of life to remove the roof from one of the vehicles, and a person was seen being put into an ambulance before being driven away.
A St John ambulance spokeswoman said three crews were sent to the crash.
Two occupants of the car hit by the fleeing vehicle were seriously injured and taken to hospital. Another person with moderate injuries was also hospitalised.
A Taranaki District Health Board spokeswoman said a man and a woman, in their 20s, and an 11-year-old child were transported to hospital and were all in a stable condition.
Dewar said an internal investigation will be commenced, as per police policy, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified.
The officers involved in the incident were not injured but will receive welfare support over the coming days, she said.
‘‘We want to remind drivers that if you’re asked to pull over by police, please stop,’’ she said in the statement. ‘‘The risk of fleeing police can result in serious injury or death and it’s something we never want to see. The risk of not stopping is not worth your safety, your passengers’ safety, or that of other road users.’’