Police identify man killed in police pursuit

Police in New Plymouth say they now know the identity of the man killed after an early morning police pursuit.

Police had called in fingerprint experts to help identify the man who died in a fiery crash after an abandoned early morning police chase.

The man had been burnt in the crash, destroying any identification.

A New Plymouth police spokesman told NZPA today the man had been identified but his name would not be released immediately as they were having some difficulty tracking the man's next of kin.

A patrol car started a pursuit after the man's car was involved in a minor accident in central New Plymouth about 12.30am today and failed to stop.

The pursuit lasted one minute before it was abandoned on St Aubyn St because of the speed of the fleeing car and the weather conditions.

The car lost control further along St Aubyn St, crashing into a tree and stream and bursting into flames.

A member of the public told police about the crash.

The man was alone in the vehicle and was found dead at the scene.

The police pursuit and crash would be referred to police to be investigated but the spokesman would not comment on what speeds were reached during the pursuit.

- NZPA