A 17 year old Queenstown youth has been arrested after a Police pursuit through the Kawarau Gorge near Cromwell tonight which lasted nearly 40 minutes.
A police patrol had attempted to stop a Subaru vehicle which had been travelling at high speed. The Subaru vehicle which had two occupants in it failed to stop and continued toward Queenstown along SH6/Kawarau Gorge Road.
Near Queenstown the Subaru turned around and began driving back toward Cromwell. The pursuit ended just outside of Cromwell after the Subaru struck the pursuing police patrol vehicle.
Both vehicles sustained damage and the road was blocked for a short time.
A police officer received a minor injury to his hand from the airbag activation in the patrol vehicle.
The 17 year old youth will be facing charges of Failing to Stop for Police and Reckless Driving.
ENDS
Released by Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane, Southern Police