‘Ball of fire’ hits police rescuers
Three teenagers confirmed dead in horrific crash
Police officers who tried to rescue three boys from a burning car needed medical attention after the vehicle erupted into a “ball of fire”. The teens died in the inferno after the stolen car in which they were speeding hit a tree in Christchurch late on Thursday.
The vehicle had moments before driven over road spikes laid by police.
Canterbury district commander Superintendent John Price said the first officers at the scene tried to rescue the driver and passengers.
Price, who visited the scene, said a disaster victim identification team would go through the process of formally identifying the teens in the car. Those killed were aged 16 and 13.
Price said the officers involved said they were “absolutely devastated about what happened”.
“I can say these officers did not come to work to do anything other than to keep our community safe.”
Price said such incidents were “always changing, dynamic and happening fast”.
The police chief urged motorists who were being followed by police to stop rather than speed off.
Police estimate the car drove at speeds in excess of 130km/h. Prior to the crash, the car had been involved in a pursuit with police for about a minute. The officers identified the driving as “dangerous” and that the vehicle was a “serious risk to the public” before laying the road spikes.
Nearby resident Ruth Maxwell told Newstalk ZB she missed the crash by seconds.
“[There was] a loud whooshing sound . . . [I] looked out the window and saw the flames, couldn’t see much but a ball of fire. No one got out of the car.”
The vehicle was seen speeding about 11.13pm in the CBD, Price said.
A pursuit was abandoned “very quickly due to the manner of driving by the offending vehicle”, he said.
“It is believed the car has continued to drive at speed on Blenheim Rd,” Price said.
Police laid spikes in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
The fatal crash following a police pursuit was the third in Christchurch in less than two months.
Price said the triple-fatal was “the last thing police want to see”.
“We now have families who have lost their loved ones and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Such incidents were always extremely testing for police, Price said.
“They are fast-moving, unpredictable and high-pressure situations that require quick judgments.
“Ultimately, police are here to protect our community. Our staff must strike a balance between the responsibility to protect life and the duty to enforce the law.”
Police Association president Chris Cahill said it was a “real tragedy” that would have been “unforeseen” when laying the road spikes.
“Our thoughts go out to their families, it is a real tragedy. Even more tragic is it was avoidable. Just don’t drive in that manner.”