Northland news in brief: Police chase over paddock, commercial fishing vessel on fire

Police chasing a fleeing Northland man across a paddock were too fast.

Two arrested after attempted burglary

Two men have been arrested and police are closing in on two others after an attempted burglary at an Okaihau business. Sergeant Dylan Robinson, of Kaikohe police, said a member of the public called 111 about 1pm on Sunday after seeing a group of males entering a commercial yard on Lake Rd.

They fled when police arrived but one was caught after a foot chase in a nearby paddock while another was located at a nearby house. The officers found a wheelbarrow at the business had been loaded with power tools while a search of the men's pockets uncovered items matching the tools. A 21-year-old from Horeke and a 16-year-old from Moerewa were held in custody overnight and were due in court in Kaikohe yesterday. Police had strong leads as to the identity of the two other offenders, Robinson said.

Child hurt jumping from car

A child was taken to hospital with a deep cut after jumping out of a moving car. About 7.10pm on Friday a mother had arrived home with her children on Okoro Rd, Okaihau, and was carrying one child inside when it is thought one of the other children interfered with the handbrake or gear lever, causing the car to roll downhill and crash into a tree. A 9-year-old, who jumped out of the car as it was moving, suffered a deep cut to one leg and was taken to Whangarei Hospital, Kaikohe Police Sergeant Dylan Robinson said. At the time police were focused on looking after the child but they were due to return to the property yesterday to ascertain exactly what had happened.

Fishing boat blows

A commercial fishing boat that blew a head gasket - or possibly just had water in its fuel - created enough smoke on Sunday afternoon to almost spark a full-scale emergency services response. The Kaitaia Fire Brigade was called at 5.18pm, after someone ashore reported a boat on fire in Rangaunu Harbour. The brigade contacted Far North Radio and Sea Rescue, which established that the Lady Lou, from Unahi, was the source of the smoke.

Boy kicked by horse

An 8-year-old boy was flown to Whangarei Hospital by the Northland Rescue Helicopter crew after being kicked in the head by a horse. The call for help came about 12.15pm yesterday when the boy, who was with other family members, were crossing a paddock with horses at Mimiwhangata. The family had fed the horses the day before. The boy was in a serious condition but it's believed the injuries were not life threatening.

Stolen car ram raid

Police believe a car stolen in Whangarei was used in two burglaries near Dargaville before a dairy was rammed, tobacco products stolen and the vehicle torched. The car was set on fire on State Highway 12 and another vehicle stolen — a grey Toyota Hilux with registration number of KLD965 . Police are calling on anyone who may have seen the Hilux to contact Whangarei police station or phone 0800 555 111. The car was stolen on Friday night and the ram raid of the Corner Dairy was in the early hours of Saturday.

Tracks closed for work

Mt Parihaka's Drummond, Dobbie and Ross tracks will be closed tomorrow and Thursday for helicopter delivery of metal for the Ross Track. The work was planned for today and tomorrow but was delayed due to high winds. The council said work on the track is progressing well and following the gravel placement, compaction and site tidy up, is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks. All work is weather dependent. The Hatea River Track is open throughout.