Stolen car crashes after police pursuit

A stolen car is towed away after crashing in Whanganui yesterday. Photo supplied.

A Whanganui woman feared for her life when a stolen car crashed metres from where she and her partner relaxed in front of the television late Sunday night.

Amber Thurston said their home shook violently as the vehicle crashed into her partner's work van which was parked on the street outside of their Carlton Ave home.

"I heard a car revving hard out, then a loud crash. The house shook violently. I thought we were going to die," Ms Thurston said yesterday.

"If it weren't for the van the car might have come right through into the lounge. It was very frightening."

The stolen car was fleeing police and contained seven youths aged 11-16.

Crash scene

One occupant, initially described as critical, was yesterday in a stable condition in Whanganui Hospital.

The other passengers received minor and moderate injuries and have since been discharged from hospital.

Ms Thurston said police handcuffed a couple of the occupants at the scene. One occupant was shouting obscenities at police, she said.

A Serious Crash Unit investigation is underway and the youths would be referred to Youth Aid, police said.

Police said they attempted to pull over the car around 10pm as it was stolen, but the driver failed to stop.

Carlton Ave was closed and traffic diverted. The road re-opened a short while later.

Crash scene the next morning.