Crashed driver takes good Samaritans' car

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police are disgusted after a crashed driver stole a car belonging to an elderly couple who had stopped to help him.

The couple, both aged 63, stopped to help the driver yesterday afternoon on State Highway Two at Waihua Hill, 15km south of Wairoa.

The man's car had left the road and gone over a bank, through scrub and crashed into a tree.

Senior Sergeant Tony Bates of Wairoa police said the couple stopped and offered help to the driver of the car.

They provided him with footwear to walk up the scrub-covered bank and then offered him their cell phone to call for help, he said.

While the couple were assisting the driver, he got into the driver's seat of their car and started it.

The man tried to stop the offender driving off, but he was pushed aside and the man drove off in their Mitsubishi Lancer, which contained personal items belonging to the couple.

The driver and the stolen car were found this morning in Whanganui. He is due to appear in the Whanganui District Court today.

Police are also investigating other incidents the man may have been involved in during his journey to Whanganui.

Mr Bates said police were concerned about the incident.

"This involved people who had stopped to provide assistance in an emergency situation. We hope that this type of activity does not deter others from providing necessary help at other emergencies."

- NZHERALD STAFF