High-speed pursuit ends as speeder flees

A police officer waiting on Mangakahia Rd just north of the Whatatiri Rd/Kokopu Rd intersection had road spikes ready to stop the vehicle officers were hunting. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A chopper and multiple police units were called to a high-speed chase in Whangarei but the car at the centre of the pursuit managed to evade officers.

Police are not releasing any details about the car, its occupants or how many officers were involved in the chase yesterday morning.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the pursuit began when the car was spotted on State Highway 14 near the intersection with Mangakahia Rd, west of Whangarei, about 11.15pm.

The car failed to stop as police followed it along Mangakahia Rd.

Mrs Kennett said a helicopter was called in to search for the car. Police had cordoned off Mangakahia Rd intersections with police cars stationed at Maungatapere, Whatatiri Rd/Kokopu Rd intersection, Karaka Rd at Parakao and at Opouteke and Rika Rds at Pakotai.

It's believed police from Kaikohe were also involved in the pursuit.

Officers in two cars had road spikes ready on the bonnet or in front of their vehicles.

Despite the police effort they lost the car somewhere near Parakao, 40km north west of Whangarei.

Mrs Kennett said she could not release details about the car and was not sure how many people were in the vehicle during the pursuit.