KEY POINTS:
A learner driver led police on a 100km chase through South Canterbury early yesterday morning.
The 15-year-old Temuka boy, with five passengers in his car, reached speeds of up to 160km/h.
It took two sets of road spikes to stop him following the chase from Tekapo to Temuka, the Timaru Herald reported.
Even after the car was halted, the teenager ran through the Temuka and Opihi rivers before being caught at a house.
The boy - driving a 1989 Mitsubishi Galant - refused to pull over for a random breath test at 1am on Sunday in Tekapo, police said.
Aware he could face a $400 fine for carrying passengers on a learner's licence, he tried to outrun police, said Tekapo constable Greg Sutherland.
He pursued the car to Pleasant Point, where the first set of road spikes was used.
These punctured the car's front tyres but the teen drove another 11km until the car was travelling on just the front wheel rims.
Another set of spikes was used and a police car made him pull over.
"He scarpered and left all his mates in the car," Mr Sutherland said.
The passengers - who had apparently gone on a "bit of a cruise to Twizel" with the driver - showed a range of emotions from fear to nonchalance, he said.
As well as the $400 fine, the teenager now faces charges for failing to stop and speeding.
- NZPA
