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A passenger in a car was killed and two other people were seriously injured after their vehicle crashed while trying to escape from police in the Far North this morning.
Photo: 123RF
Northland District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill said police began chasing the vehicle around 1.20am, however the chase was abandoned after a short time due to the speed the car was traveling and the way of driving.
The vehicle continued down a country road and crashed into a power pole.
A back seat passenger died at the scene, Superintendent Hill said.
The driver and another passenger were seriously injured and taken to Auckland for emergency treatment.
Two other passengers suffered moderate to minor injuries.
“Fleeing driver events can be volatile, unpredictable and high risk for everyone involved, so pursuing or not pursuing a fleeing driver is one of the most serious decisions facing our front-line staff,” he said. Superintendent Hill.
He added that it was “the worst possible result” and the police expressed their condolences to the affected families.
The incident is being investigated by the police and will also be referred to the Independent Authority for Police Conduct.
The road was closed for an examination of the scene overnight and reopened shortly before 6 a.m. M.
