Crash driver’s actions lead to hospital arrest

A man has been arrested in the emergency department of Wairau Hospital, in Blenheim, after refusing to follow police instructions.

The 25-year-old refused to accompany police serving a safety order on him and he resisted arrest.

He turned up at Wairau Hospital about 2am on Monday after rolling his car earlier that night.

Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter pilot Jared Colbourne said they were called to the accident on Wakamarina Rd about 9.50pm. Police, fire brigade and ambulance also attended, he said.

‘‘[We] landed quite near to the car, which was in a field off the road. We were dispatched just because of the nature of the accident and it was believed at the time that there were people trapped in the vehicle.’’

When the helicopter arrived, the two occupants of the car were being treated by St John Ambulance staff from Havelock and they did not want to be taken to hospital by helicopter, he said.

Constable Andrew Holdaway, of Blenheim, said neither the man nor his female passenger were hurt. He was not sure how the pair got to the hospital.

The man, who is unemployed, was processed for drink-driving but the result was not known, Mr Holdaway said. The man was released on bail to appear in court early next year.

kat.duggan@mex.co.nz