Manhunt underway in Papamoa for driver who crashed fleeing from police

Emergency services at the scene of Grant Place and Dickson Rd, Papamoa, after a crash. Photo/Bent Jansen

A manhunt is underway in residential Papamoa for a driver who crashed while fleeing police.

Police are looking for the man after he was initially stopped on Dickson Rd near Grant Place.

A police communications spokeswoman said the man's vehicle was stopped by police about 1.20pm. When the officer got out of the vehicle, the offending driver then took off in his car.

The driver then crashed into another car, the driver of which has since been taken to Tauranga Hospital, she said.

The spokeswoman said police were still actively searching for the driver, who fled on foot from the crash scene.

The woman who had been injured in the collision was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, the spokeswoman said.

The woman suffered moderate injuries, she said.

Police, fire and ambulance staff were called to the incident.

At 2.20pm another crash happened on Domain Rd, between Tara Rd and The Gardens Drive. The driver involved in this collision also fled the scene, the spokeswoman said.

A Papamoa resident told the Bay of Plenty Times she could see police looking around for the driver.

It is understood the driver is carrying some sort of power tool, but this could not be confirmed by police.