Woman arrested over high-speed pursuit

A 24-year-old woman has been arrested in Invercargill following a high-speed police chase earlier today.

Inspector Barry Taylor said police were called to an incident at an Invercargill address, and a white Honda Civic involved was spotted en route.

The suspect driver fled, and three police cars pursued the car, which reached speeds of up to 126km/h on State Highway 1.

The driver swerved into the path of an oncoming Mitsubishi Lancer, which had to take evasive action, running off the road and into a fence to avoid a collision.

A back seat passenger, a 39-year-old woman from Invercargill, was taken to Southland Hospital suffering minor injuries.

The fleeing car rolled and also hit a fence.

Mr Taylor said the evasive action of the Lancer driver prevented a tragedy.

"Had he not acted in the way he did, I am certain we would be dealing with a fatal accident this morning."

- NZPA