Police chase ends in rolling car

The stolen vehicle was spotted by officers about 1.10am in Maungatapere, and a police pursuit was called off due to speed, road conditions and safety of staff and public. Photo / Supplied

A police car slid off a gravel road and rolled on its side following a car chase in Dargaville overnight.

Police said an officer noticed a four wheel drive, towing a trailer and travelling without tail lights, heading along Tangowahine Valley Road in Dargaville about 2.20am.

When the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled.

Police chased the vehicle for a short time before losing sight of it. Shortly afterwards it was discovered stopped on the road with its lights off.

A pursuit began again, but the police vehicle slid off the gravel road and rolled onto its side. The officer was not injured and the vehicle had minor damage.

The offending vehicle continued on before crashing through a farm gate. The driver fled from the vehicle and ran into the bush, however he was later discovered by a police dog.

Police said the 21-year-old man was now facing a number of charges, including driving while disqualified.

This was one of three incidents involving fleeing drivers in Northland overnight.

The first, was at 12.25am, when a vehicle failed to stop for police while travelling along Western Hills Drive in Whangarei.

Police said the vehicle was heading north towards Hikurangi, and officers had no choice but to abandon the chase because of the risk to other road users.

The vehicle was later located in Hikurangi, and once again failed to stop for police, who chased the car before the driver abandoned the vehicle, leaving a passenger behind.

A police dog eventually found the 25-year-old driver, who had been suspended from driving, and was also on a curfew.

Police also received reports of a stolen car at Marsden Point overnight.

The stolen vehicle was spotted by officers about 1.10am in Maungatapere, and a police pursuit was called off due to speed, road conditions and safety of staff and public.

Northland Police Maori responsiveness manager acting Inspector Riki Whiu said people who chose to flee from police were putting themselves, police, and others at risk of serious injury or even death.

"It's not good enough and the reasons these people are fleeing police are pathetic. They are putting lives in danger.

"Travelling at high speeds gives them and other road users little time to react to anything and within seconds, their lives, the lives of our staff... could change for the worse."