'Healthy and vibrant' couple killed in crash

The car which the two crash victims were driving when they were hit. Photo / Simon Baker

The couple killed when a fleeing motorist ploughed into their car during a police pursuit in Christchurch last night "portrayed what it mean to be happy, passionate and healthy in life", their gym said today.

Norm Fitt and Dee Jordan, both in their 70s, were killed on their way home from the gym. The pair were regular marathon runners, winning gold medals in the 60 to 70-year age group at the South Island masters aerobics competition, and went for regular morning 10km runs before hitting the gym in the evenings.

Les Mills gym in Christchurch issued a statement saying the couple were known by every staff member and would missed "dearly as part of the Les Mills family on a daily basis".

They were "two people who couldn't have been more caring, thoughtful and vibrant".

"If you could pick two people who portrayed what it meant to be healthy and active in life - you couldn't pick better than Norm and Dee."

Bystanders described last night's crash as a "nightmare" as both cars became airborne and rolled about 100 metres.

Police began pursuing the vehicle shortly after 8pm, after spotting it travelling 89km/h in a 50km/h zone along Ferry Road. It went through several green lights before running a red on Fitzgerald Avenue and Gloucester Street, near the central city, striking the couple's small red Daihatsu Terios. Mr Fitt is believed to have died instantly, while Ms Jordan died after being cut from the car.

The motorist - who is "well known" to police as a disqualified driver - is in hospital with head and internal injuries under police guard.

Police Minister Judith Collins this morning warned motorists not to flee police.

"The message is don't run. It is not worth it," Ms Collins said.

While most New Zealanders understood that when asked to pull over by police, they did so, "there is an element in our society that thinks it is okay to defy the law and run".

"A very strong message needs to be sent that if they run, there is a good chance they or other innocent people will die," she said

Prime Minister John Key told NZPA: "It's an absolute tragedy and two fine Canterbury people have lost their lives as a result of the irresponsible actions of a person who now needs to be brought to justice."

Ms Collins said it was a "horrific" accident and terrible tragedy.

"My thoughts and my sympathies are very much with the families of the victims of this tragedy. Words cannot express how it would feel to lose loved ones due to the actions of an irresponsible and reckless driver.

"My thoughts are also with the police officers who deal with the aftermath of this, and other horrific accidents resulting from drivers who fail to stop and cause so much devastation."

Her words echo those of Christchurch police area commander Inspector Malcolm Johnston, who today issued a plea to motorists to stop trying to outrun police.

"We are just appealing for the public of New Zealand, for the drivers and for the criminals....we're appealing for them," Mr Johnston told Radio New Zealand this morning.

"They don't have the right to take innocent lives like this. They don't have the right to take other road-users' lives..."

Yesterday's deaths bring to 13 those killed this year in police chases, including a triple fatal in Christchurch last month.

"All this driver had to do was stop. He was told to stop, indicated to stop and that's all he had to do," Mr Johnston said. "Blame for this tragedy lies entirely with this driver. He was signalled to stop and he should have stopped," Mr Johnston said.

Mr Johnston said the officers involved were "absolutely devastated".

"The accident happened right in front of their eyes. We join the police to make a difference, we really do, and to have a tragedy like this happen in front of them, you know, I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

Last month, Shannon Smiler-O'Connor, 26, was killed in the crash on July 10 when the car he was travelling in sped away from a routine police stop about 1am.

After pursuing the car for a few streets, police found it smashed into a concrete pole at the intersection of Manchester St and Moorhouse Avenue.

The car's driver Tama Regan Dobson, 27, and another passenger, Karleane Marie Magon, 20, died in hospital weeks after the crash.

- NZPA