Details unclear after car crashes

Mystery surrounds a search for a crashed car near Whakatane as police believe they may have been given the wrong information.

Eastern Bay police and St John Ambulance staff were supported from the air by a helicopter during a search for a crashed car yesterday.

Whakatane Senior Sergeant Mark van der Kley said a person had been involved in a car crash in bush on the outskirts of Whakatane, believed to be in the Matata/Edgecumbe area.

"He has managed to walk from the scene and raise the alarm but can't pinpoint where the crash happened," Mr van der Kley said.

At the time they believed another person was still in the car. A police dog was also used in the search.

Senior Sergeant Malcolm Collins of the Bay of Plenty District Command Centre said they might have been given the wrong information.

"There was shock involved and the details supplied weren't correct. We think he may have been the only one there. He is under sedation for his injuries currently so we are waiting to confirm things with him."

Mr Collins said police had been told the other person who was said to be involved in the crash lived in Rotorua, but when they went to that house they were told she did not live there.

"We have searched the area and not found anything."

He said the search has been put on hold over night last night until they could confirm the information.