Man accused of ramming patrol car

File photo / Martin Sykes

Police are using dogs to hunt a man in bush near Whanganui after he allegedly rammed a police car during a pursuit before taking off on foot early this morning.

The man allegedly stole a car in Whanganui this morning, and was located just outside of Whanganui by police about 3.45am, Sergeant Shaun Jones said.

Police began a pursuit, during which the man had stopped in the middle of a road and reversed into a police car about three times, Mr Jones said.

He continued to drive, but the damage to the car led him to stop on Kai Iwi Valley Road and flee on foot.

Police and dogs were now tracking him through bush near Bushy Park Road, about 18km northwest of Whanganui.

- NZPA