New Zealand / Crime

Man drowns fleeing from police in Bay of Plenty

20:15 pm on 27 June 2019

A man is dead after jumping in a river as he fled police in Bay of Plenty earlier today.

Police said there was a warrant out for his arrest.

The 24-year-old was spotted in Kawerau about 1.30pm, and when officers approached he ran towards the Tarawera River.

He jumped into the water and quickly got into difficulty.

Police officers pulled him out and tried to resuscitate him but he died at the scene.

An investigation is now underway and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.