Police are investigating an incident in West Auckland, in which a male motor cyclist has been injured during a police pursuit.
Police say that at about 11.55pm Thursday 13 November 2008, a police patrol unit was proceeding along Great North Road, when a motorcyclist travelling in the opposite direction, was detected at speed on the police unit's radar.
The patrol initiated a pursuit to stop the vehicle. At the intersection at Sabulite Road, and Great North Road, the 49 year old rider rode his Suzuki SV1000 through a red light. The unit lost sight of the motorcyclist and subsequently abandoned the pursuit.
The police officers continued their regular routine patrol in the area. When they reached the intersection of Lynwood and Great North Road, they again saw the offending motorcyclist.
The officers recommenced their pursuit and entered into Archibald Road. The rider accelerated away, causing the patrol to lose sight of the motorcycle when it continued over a crest in the road. Soon after, the pursuing police unit came upon a scene in which the rider and his machine had collided with another police patrol that was in the area.
The rider is in Auckland Hospital with non life threatening injuries. None of the occupants in the second police patrol vehicle were injured. The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority. The Serious Crash Unit will examine the two vehicles involved. It may be several weeks before they determine the cause of the crash.
Waitemata Police would like to hear from anyone with information or sightings of the motorcycle while it was travelling in Great North Road, Lynwood Avenue, Rimu Street, Kelwyn Road, Archlynn Road, and Archibald Road. The contact number for the Serious Crash Unit is 09 481 0300
ENDS;
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin -
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308 / Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz