Please attribute to Canterbury Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd:
One person has died following a fleeing driver incident in Christchurch this morning.
A crash occurred after a Toyota failed to stop for Police on Papanui Road around 4am.
Police had signalled for the Toyota to stop because of the manner of driving.
The fleeing vehicle was followed by a Police vehicle for approximately 4 minutes through residential streets.
At the intersection of Glandovey Road and Idris Road the Toyota collided with a Hyundai driven by a member of the public.
The driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai sustained critical injuries and was transported to hospital where they sadly died.
There were five occupants in the Toyota. Initial indications are that one of the occupants has sustained critical injuries and the other four serious to moderate injuries.
The decision whether or not to pursue a fleeing driver is one of the most serious decisions our staff face on the frontline.
This is an absolute tragedy and a horrific outcome.
We come to work every day to keep our community safe and the staff involved are deeply shocked by this event.
The circumstances of this incident will be subject to investigation by both the Independent Police Conduct Authority and Police investigators.
The intersection of Glandovey Road and Idris Road will remain closed for a number of hours with diversions in place.
ENDS
Superintendent Lane Todd will be available to speak to media at 11:00am today.
Media are asked to assemble in the reception area at Christchurch Central Police Station from 10:45am.