Driver goes wrong way down motorway to avoid police

A car with blown-out tyres tried to escape police by travelling the wrong way down Auckland's southern motorway this morning.

Inspector Barry Smalley of the police northern communications centre said the car blew out two front tyres as police were chasing it down suburban Remuera Road about 3am.

Instead of stopping, the driver took the car onto the northbound lane of the State Highway 1 motorway about 3km south of the city centre and travelled south against the traffic flow.

Police at first abandoned the pursuit, believing the driver would dump the vehicle and leave on foot, but changed their minds when it was clear this wouldn't happen.

Mr Smalley said the original pursuing vehicle was instead directed to get in behind the offender to help warn oncoming traffic.

Traffic was light but several oncoming vehicles did have to take evasive action.

Mr Smalley said the car left the motorway at the Mt Wellington northbound on-ramp, about 6km from where it got on, after being encouraged to do so by police. However, the driver could not negotiate a turn in a car driving on its rims and lost control, hitting a street light.

Two people were apprehended by police, both uninjured.

- NZPA