An investigation has been launched after a man died in Northland after displaying unusual behaviour.
Det Insp Rhys Johnston said on Thursday around 6:10pm, police received a series of calls from members of the public concerned about a man who was walking down the centre of Bayley's Coast Road in Dargaville.
The man was seen swinging a pipe and wearing dark clothes which, combined with low visibility, meant he was nearly hit by motorists several times.
Johnston said one person had even stopped to talk to the man about how he was hard to see.
A police unit followed up on the reports and found the man in the middle of the road.
"As police have driven past him, he has hit the patrol car with the pipe. The police car then completed a U-turn and parked on the side of the road.
"They have attempted to engage in conversation with the man who has refused to comply with their requests to get off the road.
"The man has then started walking across to the other side of the road away from our officers and into the path of an oncoming vehicle."
Despite police officers providing medical assistance, the man died a short time later.
"Next-of-kin notifications are still underway but we can confirm the deceased was a 21-year-old man. Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time and we will be ensuring they are supported."
Johnston said the incident was "very upsetting" for everyone involved, including the officers who were attempting to get the man to safety. They are now being offered welfare.
He also wanted to acknowledge that the incident was traumatising for the driver of the vehicle, who is being supported by police.
"Police are investigating the incident and as is standard procedure we have self-referred this matter to the IPCA. We have also advised WorkSafe."
