The high-powerd BMW after the New Plymouth crash. Photo / Herald on Sunday
What should the rules be on high-speed police chases?
>> Send us your views
>> Read your views
Police Minister Annette King will seek an assurance from Police Commissioner Howard Broad that the police policy on high speed chases is working after another fatal crash following a pursuit.
Police yesterday named Michael James Ellicock, 21, of New Plymouth, as the man who died after he lost
control of his BMW 730I saloon in the crash on Saturday.
Mr Ellicock's car was chased by police after he failed to stop following a minor accident in central New Plymouth about 12.30am yesterday.
The chase lasted one minute before it was abandoned on St Aubyn St because of the speed of the fleeing car and the weather conditions.
A short time later Mr Ellicock, who was alone in the car, careered off the road and crashed. He was found dead at the scene.
Police have not said whether pursuit protocols introduced in 2004 after several deaths involving high-speed chases were followed.
A spokesman for Ms King today said the minister would ask Mr Broad later in the week whether he thought the police policy was working.
He said Ms King had a weekly meeting with Mr Broad and there was nothing extraordinary about the get together.
She did not hold any specific doubts about the policy, but thought it was worth raising it in light of the latest accident.
The Herald on Sunday reported that Mr Ellicock had recently moved from Auckland to New Plymouth to work as a yacht refurbisher and stayed at the city's Scenic Lodge.
Lodge manager David Ellis said he had tried to stop Mr Ellicock from taking his car to a work function but he would not listen.
Police Senior Sergeant Allan Whalley told the newspaper that police started a chase after Mr Ellicock was seen sideswiping a parked car in the central city but called off the pursuit because of the BMW's speed.
The accident has been referred to the Police Complaints Authority for investigation.
- NZPA
