Death after police pursuit

Emergency services attend the crash at the Market Rd motorway off-ramp in Auckland this morning. Photo / NZPA

The holiday road toll stands at 13, the same as last year, following two fatal crashes in Auckland overnight.

In the first fatal police crash of the year, a vehicle failed to stop for police on Karangahape Rd about 12.50am, before speeding off on to the Southern Motorway.

Police said the chase was abandoned after the vehicle reached an "unacceptable speed".

The fleeing vehicle was later found further up the motorway near the Market Rd off-ramp, where it had hit a power pole. The 15-year-old driver died while a passenger is in a serious condition.

The motorway was closed to southbound traffic at Gillies Avenue.

The Independent Police Complaints Authority will be notified of the incident, police said.

The second fatal crash occurred on a private road within the Pinewoods Motor Camp, Red Beach, near Orewa, also about 12.50am.

A 19-year-old man died after his came off the road and down a 25 metre cliff face. The driver left before police arrived.

The accident is being investigated by Orewa police.

This year's holiday toll is the third lowest holiday road toll since 1980. Of the 13 who died on New Zealand's roads over the holiday period, 10 were men and three were women, five were drivers, two were motorcycle riders, five were passengers, one was a pedestrian and six were in the 15-24 age group.

Last year 13 also people died over the holiday period, which started at 4pm Christmas Eve and ended at 6am this morning. The highest holiday road toll was in 2008/2009 when 25 people lost their lives and the lowest was in 2006/2007, when nine people were killed.

Of the accidents which resulted in fatalities over this year's holiday period six had alcohol as a suspected factor, seven had speed as a factor, and in two of the crashes driver inattention was suspected. Of those crashes up until last night, nine of the 11 dead were killed on open roads where the speed limit is 100km/hr.

National road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose said she was saddened by the deaths but was heartened many motorists had paid attention to the safety messages, reduced their speed and made good decisions while driving over the holidays.

"My heart goes out to those families affected by these deaths," Ms Rose said. "However, I am pleased that so many motorists showed restraint and good judgement and abided by the road rules."

- NZHERALD STAFF