Driver flees down tracks, Auckland trains delayed

Auckland Transport has warned of delays. Photo of Britomart train station / Jason Dorday

Commuters are warned of delays on the western train line after two 14-year-old boys in a stolen car allegedly tried to evade police by driving down the railway line.

Auckland Transport has warned the western lines are closed between Swanson and Henderson, and Britomart and New Lynn following the incident at New Lynn.

Please expect some delays and cancellations on the Western Line due to an emergency services incident at Glen Eden. 1/2

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) November 21, 2016

A police spokeswoman said the driver was fleeing police.

"Around 12.45pm today police were attending to reports from a member of the public that a car window was seen being smashed in New Lynn," she said.

"When officers arrived the car fled police.

"The fleeing driver drove from New Lynn and up Glenview Rd then onto the railway tracks near Glen Eden Station where they left the car."

Two 14-year-old boys inside the car were arrested and there were no reports of injuries, she said.

Line closed between New Lynn and Henderson rail shuttle in place between Swanson and Henderson and Britomart and New Lynn. 2/2

— Auckland Transport (@AklTransport) November 21, 2016

The stolen car is a courtesy car from A Dracevich Panelbeaters Ltd in Glen Eden, and would likely need some panel beating to repair damage to it.

The car's owner was currently with police organising its return.

A worker at the nearby Glen Eden Auto Services said he was having his lunch when he heard sirens.

"I was reading the paper and enjoying my lunch and next thing I hear a siren and there is a police car out the back of my workshop."

The man, who did want his name used, said he saw two people running from the car with police officers chasing them.

"The guys had scampered down the road with the police in hot pursuit on foot."

The car was left in the middle of the railway lines.

"They had tried to drive down the twin tracks," he said.

A tow truck was used to remove it and the tracks were cleared about 1.30pm, he said.

On Facebook, Waitakere Local Board member Greg Presland has shared a photo of a car seemingly abandoned on the tracks.

Some idiot just tried to escape the police by driving on the railway track in Glen Eden...

Posted by Greg Presland on Sunday, 20 November 2016

"Some idiot has has just tried to escape the police by driving on the railway track at Glen Eden," he wrote.

A police spokeswoman said the driver was fleeing police.

"Around 12.45pm today police were attending to reports from a member of the public that a car window was seen being smashed in New Lynn," she said.

"When officers arrived the car fled police.

"The fleeing driver drove from New Lynn and up Glenview Rd then onto the railway tracks near Glen Eden Station where they left the car."

Two offenders inside the car were arrested and there was no reports of injuries.

The stolen car is a courtesy car from A Dracevich Panelbeaters Ltd in Glen Eden, and would likely need some panel beating to repair damage to it.

The car's owner was currently with police organising its return.