Crash teens 'lucky to be alive'

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Three teenagers are "very lucky to be alive" after crashing a stolen car in Dunedin last night, police say.

The car was stolen from suburban Andersons Bay about 11pm and crashed on Tomahawk Rd a short time later, Sergeant Dave Scott of Dunedin police said.

The car had been driving erratically before the smash.

"They're very lucky to be alive, by all accounts," Mr Scott said.

The teenage males fled on foot and were tracked by police dogs and arrested.

Two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old will appear in the Youth Court in Dunedin today charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.

The 16-year-old driver is also likely to face driving charges.

- NZPA