Speeding driver dies after falling from overbridge on Auckland’s Southern Motorway

When police were approaching the crashed car on the Newmarket flyover, the driver got out of the car and climbed over the motorway barrier, where he fell.

A man has died after falling from a motorway barrier and off an overbridge in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket after being caught speeding.

Auckland Deployment Commander Superintendent Zane Hooper said officers were conducting speed checks on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane just before 1am today when a car passed at “excessive speed”.

Police followed the car with their flashing lights on, while camera operators began to monitor the vehicle.

“A short time later the speeding vehicle collided with the centre barrier on the Newmarket flyover, before moving to the left-side barrier and coming to a stop,” Hooper said.

Police drove past the crashed vehicle, which was obscured by a passing truck, but returned to the scene some time later.

Hooper said the man got out of his car and, before police reached the scene, a camera operator saw the man climb over the motorway barrier, where he fell.

“Police patrols were immediately deployed to the commercial area below the Newmarket flyover and provided first aid,” he said.

The man died at the scene.

“This is a tragic event for all those attending staff and welfare has been put in place for our people.”

Hooper said police were in contact with the dead man’s family and have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority of the incident.

“The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene on the Newmarket flyover and carried out an examination.

“A critical incident investigation has been established to fully understand what occurred this morning.”

As part of that investigation, a post-mortem examination will be carried out, with formal identification procedures to be completed.

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