Fleeing stolen car driven by teen with 10-year-old passenger crashes in Christchurch
Photo: Chris Lynch
The occupants of a stolen car that fled police early Saturday in Christchurch were young teenagers and a 10-year-old boy, Chris Lynch Media has learned.
Several city blocks have been cordoned off after the teenage driver failed to stop for police before crashing the car at the intersection of Stanmore Road and Gloucester Street.
Police say at about 3.30 am, a vehicle of interest was sighted by police on Bealey Avenue.
“A unit signalled for the vehicle to stop on Stanmore Road. However, the driver fled. A pursuit was not initiated” the police spokeswoman said.
Photo: Chris Lynch
“The vehicle crashed a short time later, striking another vehicle and power poles.”
A family member of the 10-year-old passenger told Chris Lynch there were four kids in the car, including a 13-year-old girl, a 15-year-old male driver, and another 15-year-old boy. “He went through the windscreen.”
He received critical injuries and was taken to hospital.
Photo: Chris Lynch
“The 10-year-old boy is traumatised, because he witnessed his mate go through the window screen.
The police officer who brought him home and interviewed him was still shaking. He said it was one of the worst crashes he’s seen while working” the relative said.
An eyewitness said he drove past the scene moments after the crash and saw a police officer doing CPR on someone on the ground near the smashed-up white car.
The occupant of the other vehicle was uninjured.
Debris was scattered across the intersection and on the footpath in front of the Stanmore Road shops.
Photo: Chris Lynch
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A guest staying at a nearby backpacker told Chris Lynch they heard “an almighty bang.”
“We rushed outside to see the intersection full of police cars. We were surprised at how fast they arrived at the scene.”
A police photographer and investigators were still at the crash site mid morning.
The police spokeswoman said the Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene, and an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
Stanmore Road from Avonside Drive to Tuam Street was blocked off.
Gloucester Street from Fitzgerald Avenue was also blocked off.
