14 Oct 2016

Driver flees police across the South Island

6:20 pm on 14 October 2016

A driver who fled police in Nelson earlier today was picked up by police north of Dunedin, hundred of kilometres away

A police car outside a cordon in South Auckland

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Police said the 20-year-old failed to stop for police in Nelson this morning, and later fled officers in Christchurch.

A traffic unit attempted to stop the speeding vehicle in Palmerston but it fled south down State Highway 1 and police abandoned the pursuit after the target's driving was deemed too dangerous.

The driver finally abandoned the blue Subaru and fled on foot at Waikouaiti, north of Dunedin, and was arrested a short time later.

Police said the Nelson man would be charged with driving while disqualified and failing to stop for police, and further charges were likely.