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 about 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 drove
off at speed through New Brighton and Linwood. The officer
started 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.
The vehicle was estimated to have reached speeds of up to
90km/h in a 50 km/h zone. The vehicle later crashed after
failing to take a series of bends near sewerage ponds in
Dyers Rd, Linwood.
The teenager died shortly after the crash.
Police had established the identity of the driver and were
looking for him. The two remaining passengers were assisting
officers, Mr McGregor said.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority was being advised of
the incident.
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