26 Jan 2015

30-year-old charged over Harbour Bridge chase

12:45 pm on 26 January 2015

A man at the centre of a police chase that ended on Auckland's harbour bridge has appeared in court.

Traffic came to a halt on the motorway at the Northcote on-ramp when the Harbour Bridge was shut.

Traffic came to a halt on the motorway at the Northcote on-ramp when the Harbour Bridge was shut. Photo: Michael Ciuchini

Jess Samau, 30, was charged in Auckland District Court with unlawfully possessing a weapon, resisting police, committing a dangerous act with intent to injure, assaulting police, reckless driving and failing to stop.

The pursuit started last night after police responded to reports of shots being fired in a side street off Karangahape Road at 8.45pm.

Police said a man drove off, ramming a police car in the process, and headed for the Harbour Bridge.

The chase ended on the bridge when the car crashed.

The incident closed the bridge for about 20 minutes.

Gareth Morgan said it was amazing no-one was hurt.

Gareth Morgan said it was amazing no-one was hurt. Photo: SUPPLIED

A motorist on the bridge who watched events unfold said it was amazing no-one was hurt.

Gareth Morgan, who lives on the North Shore, was on his way back from Hamilton when he saw the car crash near its top.

"It clipped a car, spun out of control over four lanes, narrowly missing the centre concrete barrier without hitting anyone - we don't know how," he said.

"Then it came to a rest just before the top of the bridge."

Just a short distance away in their car, Mr Morgan and his wife were worried about what the man might do next.

"When we came to a stop he was trying to run up the gantry right beside us. He got pretty close - if he'd wanted to he could have come at our car," said Mr Morgan.

Mr Samau was remanded in custody until 9 February.