One dead, one hurt in high-speed chases

Police are investigating the motorcycle crash in Massey. Photo / Michael Craig

Four separate investigations have started after the police pursuit of a Waikato driver who died moments after the chase was called off.

Israel Maki Tane Porter, 27, of Gordonton, died on Saturday when the Mazda 323 station wagon he was driving collided with a van at an intersection on the Gordonton-Puketaha Rd.

Mr Porter died instantly after colliding with the van; one witness said his car then barrel-rolled about 60m before stopping.

Six TelstraClear workers emerged bloodied and dazed from the van but were assessed in Waikato Hospital's accident and emergency department and discharged.

Witnesses reported seeing Mr Porter weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds of more than 100km/h before the crash.

Inspector Leo Tooman said the chase lasted about two minutes before the pursuing officer pulled out because he was worried by the way Mr Porter was driving.

Moments later, he saw a cloud of dust in the distance as the blue Mazda collided with the van at the intersection about 15km northeast of Hamilton.

The Waikato serious accident unit is investigating the crash. The Independent Police Complaints Authority has also been informed.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist was critically injured following a police chase in Auckland on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old man came off his motorcycle in Massey about 9.40pm, after an intermittent chase which covered 50km.

The man had earlier sped away from police at Army Bay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland.

Police were chasing him because of his poor riding, speeding and riding in and out of traffic, Senior Sergeant Matt Rogers of police northern communications said.

Police abandoned the pursuit but the motorcyclist was picked up again on the Auckland Harbour Bridge before the pursuit was abandoned for a second time when he rode at speeds of up to 120km/h and on the wrong side of the road.

The chase ended when the motorcyclist hit a raised traffic island.