Agitated driver jumps into milk tanker

Police received reports of the man's white Holden Commodore being driven at speeds of up to 140kph on State Highway 73 through Kumara and then towards Greymouth. Photo / File

A 52-year-old Christchurch man on the run from police after reports of dangerous driving, forced a Westland Milk Products tanker to stop at Dobson on Saturday evening.

Police received reports of the man's white Holden Commodore being driven at speeds of up to 140kph on State Highway 73 through Kumara and then towards Greymouth.

The man was seen driving dangerously through the Kumara Junction roundabout and then along State highways 6 and 7 through Greymouth and Dobson, where his car ran out of petrol.

Greymouth police arrested the man shortly after 5pm, and he was later taken into the care of mental health services.

Shortly before, the tanker driver had seen the Commodore car speed ahead of him and drive dangerously through the Tainui Street roundabout in Greymouth, as it headed north-east.

A short while later, the tanker driver was forced to stop by the car driver who was standing in the middle of the road in Dobson, after his car came to a sudden stop.

After an exchange with the allegedly agitated car driver in the tanker cab, the tanker driver managed a quick exit with his keys and was able to alert the resident of a nearby house, who phoned the police.

Tasman police media spokeswoman Barbara Dunn said the Commodore was seen being driven at high speed and other drivers reported having to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

The man's car was impounded.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the driving, including those who have already reported incidents. Anyone with information can contact the Greymouth Police Station.