Police are critical of the actions of a driver who fled Police by driving down the Motorway the wrong way at high speed.
At about 11.15 pm on Saturday evening a member of the public reported a Suzuki swift driving at excessive speed and driving in an eratic manner.
Police staff observed this car heading towards Birkdale on the Auckland north Shore and signalled the car to stop.
The car failed to stop and drove off at high speed towards the State Highway 18 Motorway. At the Greenhithe off ramp he drove onto the motorway travelling the wrong way on the motorway.
Police immediately abandoned the pursuit due to the danger to the public and did not follow the offending driver.
Inspector Tony Wakelin of the Northern Communications Centre said " It was fortunate that we had the Police Helicopter Eagle closeby who was able to track the offending car to an address off Lincoln Road Henderson where he was arrested.
"The drivers actions were incredibly stupid and dangerous, as he drove approximately 5 km the wrong way down the motorway at high speed forcing oncoming motorway traffic to take evasive action" He got off the motorway at Lincoln road. "It was a miracle that no one was injured or killed"
"This incident highlights the difficult decisions we have to make on the street. The offenders driving was clearly dangerous before Police involvement and warranted us stopping him.
When we attempted to stop him he failed to stop and the pursuit was subsequently abandoned when he drove onto the Motorway to eliminate any further danger to the public.
However without Police pursuing him he still continued to drive at speed into oncoming traffic, driving like an idiot with a death wish and continued to put the public in danger."
A male in his mid 20's has been arrested and will face a number of serious charges.