Two 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old were injured, one critically, when a stolen car crashed into a pole in Auckland during a police pursuit overnight.
A patrol car spotted the Subaru being driven erratically about 12.20am along Hustmere Road in Takapuna, North Shore Area Commander Inspector Shanan Gray said today.
Police lost sight of the vehicle, but later spotted it near the Milford Town Centre, where they began to pursue it.
Moments later, the vehicle crashed into a pole at the intersection of Wairau and Shakespeare Roads, Mr Gray said.
The 15-year-old front seat passenger is in Auckland Hospital in a critical condition. The 15-year-old driver was also taken to Auckland Hospital with minor injuries.
The 13-year-old back seat passenger was taken to Starship Hospital with moderate injuries, Mr Gray said.
The crashed Subaru vehicle was stolen from a Devonport address, he said.
The two 15-year-olds were from Mt Roskill and the 13-year-old was from Westmere.
Their next of kin were with them at hospital.
A number of investigations were underway, Mr Gray said.
"The scene has been examined by the Waitemata Serious Crash Unit, the CIB are also investigating and as is standard procedure, we've notified the IPCA (Independent Police Conduct Authority).
"No police officer wants a fleeing driver incident to end this way."
These types of incidents were "fast-moving and unpredictable" and police always faced a difficult balance between their duty to enforce the law and protect life, and to consider why the driver felt the need to avoid speaking to police, Mr Gray said.
