Motorcyclist critical after police chase

A motorcyclist who crashed his Harley-Davidson while being chased by police was in a critical condition in hospital early this morning.

The six-minute chase started about 9.40pm on the Southern Motorway when police noticed the Harley had a faulty tail-light and reached 80km/h through the residential streets of Mt Wellington.

It ended when the motorcycle, followed closely by a police car, failed to take a gentle bend on Commissariat Rd just before the intersection with Aranui Rd. Witnesses say the rider stood up but collapsed immediately.

Nurses who live in the street tended the unconscious man until an ambulance took him to Auckland City Hospital.

The man's employer, who had been riding with him on his own Harley, said his staff member should have pulled over, but he criticised the police for following too closely. He said the damaged Harley was worth $75,000.