Police say car crash linked with shooting

Police say a car crash in Kawerau was linked to Friday's double shooting.

A car crash that cut off power to parts of Edgecumbe and Te Teko on Sunday night was connected to Friday's double shooting in Kawerau.

Emergency services were called to the Edgecumbe/Te Teko Rd about 11pm on Sunday night after reports of a car, believed to be a dark-blue Holden, crashing into a power pole.

Bay of Plenty Police district communications manager Kim Perks said when emergency crews got to the scene the driver of the car had fled.

A check on the registration of the vehicle revealed it was the dark-coloured sedan police had been seeking in relation to the double shooting on River Rd in Kawerau. The car had been seen leaving the scene of the shooting shortly after it happened.

A person at the crash said police armed themselves and emergency crews were asked to get back into their vehicles when the details of the car were known.

"Although the car has been impounded, police are still seeking information about the vehicle and its movements on Friday," Ms Perks said.

Police had earlier said they had not ruled out further arrests as the investigation continued.

Power was restored about five hours after the crash.

Meanwhile, the three men charged with attempted murder following the shooting have been remanded in custody to re-appear in the Rotorua High Court on October 2. The trio, aged 21, 29 and 52, were granted interim name suppression when they appeared in Whakatane District Court on Saturday.

The two victims of the shooting, aged 38 and 48, remain in critical condition in Waikato Hospital where they were airlifted about 7am on Friday.

After the shooting, armed police searched a number of Kawerau properties including homes on Valley Rd, Galway St and Sewell St.

Acting Area Commander Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said the Kawerau community would hold vital information about the incident.

He urged anyone with any information to contact Kawerau Police on (07) 308 5255 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.