Shocking footage of fleeing car's head-on collision on Auckland southern motorway

Shocking footage has emerged of the moment a fleeing car collided with another vehicle on Auckland's southern motorway - a crash that left four injured and the city's main route in chaos.

The serious crash happened on Thursday morning near the Highbrook Dr off-ramp. It led to four injuries, with two people in a moderate condition, and all southbound lanes closing for more than two hours.

Footage published on NZME from the scene shows the fleeing driver enter the southbound side of the motorway and crash head on with the car and spinning out of control. Other cars had to quickly swerve.

A statement from NZTA said the lanes were closed due to a "head-on collision involving a fleeing driver". The motorway also closed at the Princes St on-ramp.

"Motorists are advised to leave the motorway at Princes Street, turn right on Frank Grey Place, right onto Princes St, left at Atkinson St to Great South Rd, left on to East Tamaki Rd, right on to SH1."

Police released a statement saying one of the vehicles was stolen and being monitored at a distance by the Police Eagle helicopter when it crashed into a member of the public head-on.

Police vehicles were not pursuing the car at the time.

Witness Mark Van Boxel spoke to Newshub about the carnage.

"I was heading north and just coming up to the Highbrook off-ramp and I noticed a car came onto the motorway with speed heading north in the southbound lanes."

"It had a massive head-on with another car going south. Both cars disintegrated."

Van Boxel said he saw an individual come from the "offending vehicle" clutching his arm, while someone from the car that was hit was "very still".

He could see others "stunned" and one lady "pointing towards the other car and screaming".

"It was absolute carnage caused by one man's stupidity".

Significant traffic chaos was caused by the crash.

Newshub.