Driver hurt as vehicle rolls
A Far North man has been airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after a single-vehicle crash near Kaikohe. The four-wheel-drive vehicle rolled on Te Pua Rd about 7.20pm on Wednesday, coming to rest on its roof partly on the road. The road was closed while emergency crews extracted him and cleaned up the road. The driver was taken to Kaikohe by ambulance then collected from Lindvart Park by Northland Rescue Helicopter and flown to Whangarei Hospital. Police are still investigating but Sergeant Dylan Robinson, of Kaikohe, said alcohol may have been a factor.
Police pursuit ends in toilet
A 23-year-old female driver involved in a high-speed pursuit which was abandoned was eventually found by officers hiding in a marae toilet, say police. The pursuit began near Whakapara about 11.30am on Wednesday. The north-bound vehicle failed to stop and was spiked on State Highway 1 before the officers were ordered by the Northern Communication Centre to abandon the pursuit. The car continued and eventually stopped at Akerama Marae where the driver allegedly ran into the toilets where she was arrested. Brooke Williams appeared in Whangarei District Court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to stop, driving while suspended, reckless driving and possession of methamphetamine. She was remanded in custody until January 4 when she will apply for bail.
Petrel chicks die in burrows