A Cook Islands police officer has been suspended from duty after a youth died during a police pursuit at the weekend.
Police say the officer driving the police vehicle has been suspended pending investigations into the death of 16-year-old Pukana Piniata.
Mr Piniata had allegedly been riding a motorcycle at high speed in Avarua and police began pursuing him, but the chase ended in a fatal crash at the O'oa Bridge in Upper Tupapa.
The Cook Islands Police Service says it is aware of claims that the officer's actions may have contributed to the crash.
