A witness to a police pursuit that ended with the driver crashing into a bystander in Auckland says he is surprised no-one was seriously injured.
The police say they followed a stolen car from the Waikato town of Te Kauwhata to a petrol station in Manurewa Friday morning, before a number of officers tried to box it in with their patrol cars at the petrol station.
Scene of the crash in Manurewa. Photo: RNZ
They say the driver did a u-turn and the car landed on the side of another car driven by a 47-year-old local woman, who suffered a minor shoulder injury. The incident occurred at 10.30am.
Jim Leathard, who works across the road, saw the crash unfold on the corner of Mahia and Great South roads.
He says it is lucky there were no pedestrians or drivers seriously injured.
He also says police were quick to contain the area.
Police say they are confident they followed correct protocol during the pursuit and that the Independent Police Conduct Authority will carry out a full inquiry into the pursuit.
The 36-year-old driver has appeared in the Manukau District Court.
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