Police on the West Coast attempted to pull over a 10-tonne bus travelling slowly south of Hokitika last night and needed a Taser to apprehend the driver.
The bus driver deliberately crashed into the rear of a patrol car then continued its journey, where another police vehicle pursued the bus across the Hokitika Bridge travelling around 10km/h.
A third police vehicle pulled up beside the bus, but the driver swerved and crashed the bus into it.
Police watched as the driver left his seat, walked to the rear of the bus, and began gesturing at police from the rear window.
Meanwhile the bus kept idling across the bridge, remaining in its own lane.
Constable Rhys Martin said police were able to board the driverless bus and bring it to a stop where a Taser was presented and the driver was apprehended without further incident.
A 36-year-old Hokitika man appeared in the district court at Greymouth this morning charged with assault with a weapon and an unlicensed driver charge.
Further serious driving charges are expected to be laid.
Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor.
- NEWSTALK ZB