A car crashed outside the Waikumete Cemetery, in West Auckland, early this morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward
An early morning police pursuit ended when the vehicle crashed outside the country's biggest cemetery in West Auckland - and one teen tried to flee through the graves.
Authorities were called out to Great North Rd, in Glen Eden, after a car involved in a pursuit crashed into a kerb and hit a bus stop outside the Waikumete Cemetery.
"Just after 5.30am today, a police unit signalled a vehicle to stop in the Great North Road area in Glen Eden,'' a police spokesman said.
"The vehicle allegedly failed to stop for police and a pursuit was initiated.''
Local man Jonathan Kellett was in his car waiting for the green light, at the intersection of Great North and Hepburn roads, when he noticed the flashing lights of a police car about a kilometre down the road.
"Just after the lights stopped flashing, I spotted the dark shape of a vehicle racing up the wrong side of the road with headlights off.
"It went through the red light doing in excess of 100km/h. It then fishtailed before crashing off the road.''
The 64-year-old said he was "amazed'' that no one had been killed and that the crash itself had not been any worse.
"They must've been going 100 to 120km/h. Luckily, no one came out of Hepburn Road because all they would've seen was a shadow. They wouldn't have seen that car.
"I'm just glad no one was harmed. I'm amazed. But that driver shouldn't be on the road."
Not long after the pursuit started, the vehicle - carrying two teenagers - clipped a kerb and hit a bus stop sign before coming to a stop.
Images show a white car on its side near a bus stop. Both the driver and passenger seat airbags can be seen inflated.
The driver and passenger got out of the car and fled the area.
It is understood at least one of them ran into the cemetery trying to escape police.
"The police Eagle helicopter and a delta [dog] unit were called in and tracked the occupants to the area around Waikumete Cemetery.''
Police said both teenagers have been taken into custody and will be referred to Youth Aid.
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.