Occupants flee after Audi RS3 flips, catches fire during Auckland street race

A speeding car flipped and caught fire during a suspected illegal street race in Auckland, with the occupants fleeing before emergency services arrived.

Police were called to the industrial end of Hunua Rd in Papakura at about 1am on Saturday, following reports a vehicle had hit a pole, rolled and was on fire.

Officers were also told two cars had been seen speeding in the area around the same time.

Video footage obtained by the Herald appears to show two cars accelerating rapidly side by side before one loses control, slides sideways and rolls along the road, erupting into flames within seconds.

Witnesses could be heard gasping and seen running toward the burning wreck.

Police said they responded immediately alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, but the vehicles’ occupants had already fled by the time crews arrived.

No injuries have been reported.

The crashed vehicle is believed to be an Audi RS3 sedan.

“Inquiries are ongoing into the circumstances of the crash,“ police said.

Street racing is a criminal offence under the Land Transport Act, carrying penalties including up to six months’ licence disqualification and fines of up to $4500 or potential imprisonment.