Police say three people are lucky to be alive after a police pursuit ended with a car crashing into a creek in Waikato early today.
The occupants of the fleeing car allegedly threw a large quantity of drugs from the vehicle during the chase.
Senior Sergeant Ray Malcolmson said police established the car was stolen during a routine stop in the Hamilton suburb of Dinsdale shortly before 2am.
"Officers instructed the three occupants to get out of the car but the 35-year-old male driver has instead elected to flee the scene at speed," Mr Malcolmson said.
A police pursuit followed.
At one point the car did a U-turn and an object was thrown from a window.
Police said the recovered 28g package tested positive for methamphetamine.
The car then did another U-turn and the driver lost control.
"The car has then crashed down a three-metre bank, coming to rest on its side in a creek," Mr Malcolmson said.
The driver tried to flee but was tracked by a police dog.
He was later taken to Waikato Hospital with a cut to his face from the crash and and a number of dog bites.
A female passenger was also taken to hospital for check-up. Neither were considered to be seriously injured.
A third person in the car was unhurt.
The driver faces a variety of charges including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, resisting arrest, assaulting police and failing to stop," Mr Malcolmson said.
The passengers both face charges of unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.
A decision was yet to be made on drugs charges.
Police would look to recover the car this morning.
