Wanted driver found unconscious in stream

A man nearly drowned in a stream overnight after running from police wanting to test him for drink driving.

Constable David Lee said today the man took off after refusing to co-operate with a police officer who had stopped him in central in New Plymouth at about 10pm.

The man, aged in his early 20s, ran into bushes at Sir Victor Davies Park. Several officers, including a dog handler, were called to the scene.

The man ran down into the Huatoki Stream. He was found unconscious in half a metre of water several minutes later.

Police pulled him from the stream and performed CPR to revive him until an ambulance arrived, Mr Lee said.

He was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital, but was released later into police custody.

He will appear in New Plymouth District Court today charged with drink driving and failing to accompany police.

- NZPA