11 Jul 2008

Porirua police officer killed

8:04 am on 11 July 2008

A Porirua policeman has died after being struck by a stolen car being pursued in Titahi Bay, about 3am on Friday.

Police say it appears the officer had laid road spikes across Dimock Street when he was struck by the vehicle as it went through the spikes.

The vehicle, which the police say had been carjacked in Tawa, was stopped about 300 metres further up the street. The officer died at the scene.

Police are speaking to two people who were in the vehicle.

Kapiti Mana Area Police Commander, Inspector John Spence, says the officer's tragic death in the line of duty has devastated colleagues.

Welfare support is in place for the officer's family and for colleagues, especially those first to the scene.

The officer's name is not being released yet as police are in the process of advising family members.