Car smashes into power pole after high-speed chase

A dramatic high-speed chase has ended with a stolen car smashing into a power pole in West Auckland.

The stolen silver saloon crashed into the pole on Te Atatu Rd near the northwestern motorway on-ramp after several police cars chased it around the Henderson area.

Herald reporter Lane Nichols was on his way home when he saw the car speeding head-on towards him.

Police at the scene. Photo / Lane Nichols

He was forced to take evasive action and quickly moved out of the way.

"It was pretty freaky, I just had to veer to the left-hand side otherwise I would've collected it.

"About 30 or 40 metres past me it smashed into a pole. The front's all crumpled up and smoking."

Nichols said he could see smoke spilling out from the bonnet of the car.

Police arrested a group of young women, who could be heard swearing at officers.

Photo / Lane Nichols