One person has died after a car fleeing police in Christchurch crashed into their vehicle.
Police say a Toyota with five occupants had been signalled to stop around 4am because of the erratic manner in which it was being driven. A pursuit went up Glandovey Rd and lasted four minutes before the car slammed into another vehicle, a Hyundai with a single occupant.
The Hyundai driver was critically injured and has died in hospital. Of the five people in the Toyota, one has sustained critical injuries while the rest have been moderately to seriously injured.
Diversions are in place around Idris Rd and Glandovey Rd and motorists are asked to avoid the area for a number of hours.
Canterbury Metro Area Commander Superintendent Lane Todd says the deadly crash was an "absolute tragedy and a horrific outcome".
"The decision whether or not to pursue a fleeing driver is one of the most serious decisions our staff face on the frontline," he said.
"We come to work every day to keep our community safe and the staff involved are deeply shocked by this event."
The incident will be investigated by both the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police investigators.
Newshub.
