Investigation launched into police car crash

A car crash which sent an elderly woman to hospital after she crashed into an unmarked police car in Auckland last night is under investigation.

The woman, in her 80s, was taken to North Shore Hospital with serious injuries after the incident on Sturges Rd, Henderson, about 7.20pm.

It was not yet known what caused the woman to crash because the investigation was still underway, police spokeswoman Beth Bates said.

It was too early to tell if charges would be laid against the woman, as the investigation could take several weeks, Ms Bates said.

A police spokesman said last night the woman's white Mazda Demio struck the parked, unmarked police car.

"The elderly woman is in fair bit of shock and status two, which is serious condition but not critical injuries," he said.

Cameraman Daniel Hines was at the scene and said the police vehicle was a red, unmarked detective's car.

"The police car is damaged on the driver's side rear wheel but on the woman's car, the damage was on the passenger side.

"The whole roof is crushed right down and the wheel is halfway down the road."

A St John Ambulance spokesperson said one ambulance attended the scene and the women was taken to North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.