UPDATE 3.25pm: A reporter near the Maungatapu roundabout said it appeared police were searching in the area following a nearby crash.
She said a silver sedan appeared to have crashed into a nearby grass bank and a tow truck was now in use.
EARLIER: There is a large police presence in Bayfair and Maungantapu area this afternoon.
A passerby contacted the Bay of Plenty Times believing a manhunt is underway around Tauranga's Maungatapu roundabout following a nearby car crash on State Highway 29 between Tauranga and Baypark.
The passerby reported seeing large numbers of police and dog units searching the area around the roundabout, including looking down over the urupa (cemetery) towards the construction zone for the Welcome Bay underpass.