Teen driver who smashed into tree had no licence

Photo / Supplied

A teenage driver who crashed a stolen car into a tree after he sped away from a police cordon early today had no licence, police say.

The incident in south Auckland left all six youths in the car in hospital with serious injuries.

The 15-year-old driver, who didn't have even a learner's licence, received the most serious injuries, including having a leg broken in several places.

He had to be cut from the wreckage and was listed in a critical condition, but was expected to survive his injuries.

Police spokeswoman Ana-Marie Gates-Bowey said police had been carrying out an operation in Hill Rd, Manurewa, because of recent car thefts in the area.

Just after midnight, the vehicle carrying the six youths, aged 13 to 15, drove into the cordon, she said.

When an officer approached the vehicle, the driver sped off.

The officer went to his patrol car to follow it, but never got close behind it and lost sight of it as it went around a corner.

After the stolen car entered Charles Prevost Dr, a winding road with sharp bends, the driver lost control and went into trees.

Ms Gates-Bowey said it took the officer in the patrol car four minutes to locate the vehicle, which was found smashed against a tree.

She said it was difficult to estimate how fast the stolen car would have been going.

The incident was over in a matter of minutes and the police Eagle helicopter wasn't deployed.

Police were considering what charges would be laid.

- NZPA