Christchurch Police seeking fleeing driver after fatal crash

A 15-year-old boy has died following a crash after a fleeing driver in a stolen vehicle tried to evade Police at speed in Christchurch around 12.30am today.

Christchurch City Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said the vehicle, carrying four occupants, had earlier been reported stolen.

A Police dog handler went to stop the vehicle, which then drove off at speed through New Brighton and Linwood. The officer then initiated a pursuit with his lights and siren going.

“Despite the officer’s attempts to get the offending vehicle to stop, it carried on at speed through a 50km/h area, and on the wrong side of the road, before the pursuit was abandoned after about 3-4 minutes,” Mr McGregor said.

He said the vehicle was estimated to have reached speeds of up to 90km/h in a 50 km/h zone prior to travelling on the wrong side of the road, when the pursuit was abandoned. The vehicle later crashed after failing to take a series of bends near sewerage ponds in Dyers Road, Linwood.

Shortly after the crash, a male15 year-old passenger died.

Mr McGregor said Police had established the identity of the driver and were looking for him. The two remaining passengers were assisting Police with their inquiries.

The IPCA was being advised of the incident, he said.

ENDS

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