Fleeing car hits power pole, knocks out power to 1300 homes

The pursuit started at 2.15am today. Photo / Glenn Taylor

A fleeing car had its tyres spiked by police in the early hours of this morning, before crashing into a power pole and knocking out power to South Auckland homes.

Senior Sergeant Matthew Child said police tried to pull over a car on Burbank Ave in Manurewa around 2.15am, but the driver didn't stop.

Police followed, and spikes were eventually used at the intersection of Friedlanders Rd and Wordsworth Rd.

The spikes were successful, but the car crashed into a power pole, bringing down power lines.

The two people in the car immediately got out, shortly before the car burst into flames.

The damage cut the power to 1385 homes in the area.

Vector crews were called in to repair the damage, working throughout the night and into today. Power was restored to all homes by 1.30pm.

Child said the 29-year-old woman who was driving was uninjured.

She has been charged with failing to stop, driving without a licence, and driving dangerously causing injury.

She will appear in the Manukau District Court on August 4.

The passenger received moderate injuries and was transported to Middlemore Hospital.

The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.