14-year-old arrested after roadworks crash in West Auckland, allegedly fleeing police in stolen car

The trio were tracked via helicopters, cameras and police cars on the ground across south and west Auckland before the crash near Kumeū shortly after midnight.

Acting Tāmaki Makaurau Deployment Commander, Acting Chief Inspector Dave Glossop, said the car failed to stop after traveling with another stolen vehicle near the Waterview Tunnel.

The cars were followed by the Eagle south of Māngere before parting ways. The first vehicle was stopped on Puketutu Island, where two people were arrested “without incident”.

Glossop said the second car continued towards Onehunga and an attempt was made to stop the vehicle near Galway St, but the car fled again.

“Police conducted surveillance of the vehicle via the CCTV network as it traveled west on State Highway 16 towards Kumeū.”

Glossop said police saw the vehicle traveling “at high speed” as it entered the community, where it could not follow the roadworks.

The car ended up in a ditch shortly afterwards.

“The two front occupants of the car were seriously injured and taken to hospital.

“Police are now investigating the circumstances of the wider incident and the Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified.”

A St. John’s spokesperson said two people were in critical condition and another was seriously injured.

The spokesperson said three ambulances, a rapid response unit, an operations manager and an Auckland Westpac rescue helicopter were sent to the scene.

All three people were transported to hospital.

An NZME photographer at the scene was told by a contractor managing the road closure that the vehicle ‘speeded’ through the closure before ending up in a ditch.

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