Motorists injured in wrong-way drama

The pursuit began when the police spotted the stationwagon on Royal Rd in Massey. Photo / Natalie Slade

Three people were arrested last night after police chased a car with burst tyres along the wrong side of the Northwestern Motorway.

Two innocent motorists were injured when they crashed into each other against the median barrier as the stolen car sped past on the shoulder.

The pursuit began when the police spotted the stationwagon - believed to have been stolen - on Royal Rd in Massey around 8pm.

But when the vehicle, with three people inside, did not pull over, officers laid spikes in nearby Triangle Rd to stop it.

However, it ran over them, popping the front tyres, and drove on to the Lincoln Rd offramp. It then went on to the motorway on the wrong side.

Driving towards the city centre, the stationwagon travelled several hundred metres before ramming into a fence just past the Te Atatu offramp.

All three people in it fled as police swarmed towards them, but two were quickly caught.

The other jumped a fence and fled into the Waitemata Harbour.

The police Eagle helicopter beamed a spotlight down on the water trying to find the man.

Inspector Ian Brooker, of the northern police communications, said the fugitive was caught about half an hour after the crash happened.

"It looks like he's swum back in towards a [police] unit - probably got too cold from the water."

At least a dozen squad cars went to the crash scene last night, with several police dogs. Three fire trucks and half a dozen ambulances were also there.

One lane of the motorway had to be blocked off and traffic was backed up to the Rosebank Rd offramp.

The stolen vehicle - with the windshield on the driver's side smashed in - stood on the side of the motorway with the driver's door open.

McDonald's potato chips lay scattered on the floor and a screwdriver was seen lying on the carpet, just beneath the ignition.

Ambulance communications staff said at least two people from the other vehicles that crashed were taken to hospital with minor injuries.