Two killed in crash while fleeing police

File photo / APN

Two men who died after their vehicle crashed into a tree in Te Puke this morning were fleeing from police.

The 4WD rolled down a bank and smashed into the tree on Jellicoe Street, State Highway 2, about 5.30am, killing one of the men instantly and the second died soon after paramedics arrived.

Inspector Mike Clement confirmed the utility vehicle initially failed to stop for police on Maunganui Rd in Mt Maunganui.

He said the vehicle had been travelling in excess of 50km/hr in a residential area and police pursued it towards Papamoa.

"During this time, the vehicle took extreme actions to evade police, including driving around a set of road spikes which had been used in an effort to stop the vehicle.

"After undertaking these evasive manoeuvres, the vehicle was travelling at such high speed that the pursuit was abandoned, and police staff moved into a search phase."

He said the vehicle was then seen travelling in Domain Road, Papamoa, and again failed to stop for police.

"Authority was given to re-initiative the pursuit towards Te Puke.

"The pursuit was then in the process of being abandoned for the second time due to concerns about speed in the Te Puke township, when police officers lost sight of the fleeing vehicle. A search of the area revealed it had left the road and hit a tree.

"The passenger in the car was dead upon police arrival at the scene. The driver died at the scene."

Police crash investigators are at the scene and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified. A formal internal police investigation has also commenced.

Mr Clement said police were in a difficult position when it came to a fleeing offender or a driver who fails to stop.

"The immediate question for police and the public alike is why that individual feels the need to take such extreme action to avoid speaking to police.

"Those who flee from police put themselves and innocent road users at risk, with the ultimate tragic outcome in this case.

"This incident will not only have a dreadful impact on their families and friends, but also on the police officers involved and those at North Comms, other emergency services who attended the scene and those in the wider community."

Police are making inquiries to identify the two men so that next of kin can be notified.

It was the second fatal accident on the stretch of road in three months after a car flipped off the bridge on July 25, killing one of the vehicle's seven occupants.

- NZHERALD STAFF and NZPA