Police car ploughs into wall

A police officer lost control of his car during a pursuit in Auckland last night and ploughed down 20m of a concrete boundary.

He escaped with minor injuries in the incident on Te Atatu Rd about 10.30pm.

The police vehicle failed to take a bend near the intersection with Roberts Rd, demolishing part of the 1.2m-high wall.

"We were just watching TV and heard the impact, came outside and saw the carnage," said a Te Atatu resident who gave his name as Taz.

"A cop car has taken out three-quarters of the [concrete] wall and crashed into the picket gate fence. The perpetrator they were chasing has long gone.

"A car was being chased, the cop had obviously lost control."

The accident, in a well-lit street in calm weather conditions, left the property's front lawn littered with fence debris and car parts.

Auckland Inspector Barry Smalley said a pursuit was taking place at the time, but at the other end of Te Atatu Rd.

He said police would investigate.

Witnesses said a police officer, who appeared slightly dazed, left the scene in an ambulance.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said the officer had minor injuries.