About 6.40pm yesterday evening Whangarei Police attempted to stop a speeding vehicle heading north on Western Hills Drive near Central Avenue in Whangarei.
The blue Subaru WRX Impreza Saloon was travelling in excess of 100km in a 50km zone.
The vehicle has stopped and two passengers have gotten out. The car has then taken off and a pursuit has been initiated. It travelled along SH14 and turned onto a number of rural roads. The vehicle was spiked twice and eventually came to a stop in a rest area on Mangakahia Road.
The male driver has then fled on foot and it is believe he has jumped into the Mangakahia River. This was at around 7:30pm. The pursuit has lasted around 50 minutes and went for a distance of 71km.
Two Police vehicles and a delta unit were involved in the fleeing driving incident.
Northland Road Policing Manager Inspector Wayne Ewers says an immediate search began for the missing man. Search and Rescue have now been deployed to the area and are currently carrying out a sweep of the bank. Police staff are also searching the surrounding areas.
At this stage police have not yet established the identity of the driver.
“We are now asking the male and female passengers of the vehicle to come forward to assist police to identify the driver. We have serious concerns for his safety, given the conditions of the river last night.”
“We would also ask any members of the public who may have been in the Central Avenue and Western Hills Drive area between 6:30 and 7:30pm last night and saw anything that may assist police to contact us. We also ask that anyone living in the Parakao area who may have had someone show up unexpectedly to their home, or seen a male in the area to please call us immediately,” says Mr Ewers.
If you have any information that can assist police, please call Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police