At around 9.30am this morning Police were called by relatives of a 45 year-old man who reported that he was in an agitated state, and there were serious concerns for his welfare.
Police checks made at the man's home and work failed to locate him.
Shortly before 10am, a vehicle matching the description of the man's car was seen by a Police patrol in Greenhithe. The driver failed to stop for Police and a brief pursuit was initiated by Police after they activated their lights and sirens.
The pursuit lasted approximately one minute, but due to concerns for public safety, the pursuit was abandoned,and ground units withdrew from the pursuit. The Police Eagle Helicopter observed the car's movements from a distance.
Approximately 25 minutes after the pursuit had been abandoned, the Eagle Helicopter saw the car pull into the driveway of a residential property in Wairere Road, Waitakere.
The driver then drove out of the driveway, and as a Police unit approached the car from approximately 300 metres away, he drove off towards Horsman Road. The Police unit did not pursue the vehicle.
Tragically, a short time later, the vehicle drove down a gravel road at speed, through a fence and over a steep paddock, before driving off a bluff onto flat ground.
The Eagle helicopter landed in an attempt to provide first aid however the driver died at the scene
The circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated by Police and have been referred to the IPCA.
The man's next of kin are being informed and his name will not be released until that process has been completed.
ENDS
All media queries can be directed to Beth Bates/Waitemata Police/0274 752 518
Superintendent Bill Searle will hold a media conference at the North Shore Policing Centre today at 3pm. No further comment will be made before the media conference.
NSPC is at 52 Parkway Drive, Mairangi Bay.
Please meet in the foyer of the NSPC no later than 2.50pm.