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The 16-year-old girl subject to an amber alert in New Plymouth overnight has been located safe and well.
Police would like to thank the members of the public who provided information that assisted in locating them.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
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Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after a cyclist died following a crash in New Plymouth last week.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the intersection of Powderham Street and Mt Edgecumbe Street about 12.35pm on Saturday 12 April.
The cyclist was transported to hospital, where they sadly died on Tuesday.
Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of the crash and are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.
If you were in the area at the time, and saw a man riding a bicycle carrying fishing gear, or may have footage of the incident, please come forward and speak to us.
You can do so by calling 105 and quoting reference number 250415/6545.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
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Police accept the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority in relation to a fatal crash which occurred following a Police pursuit near Ōtaki.
First and foremost, our thoughts and sympathies are with the people and families impacted by this crash.
On 26 April 2024, police briefly pursued a stolen vehicle on State Highway 1, south of Levin, after it was involved in an aggravated robbery in Ōtaki. Police abandoned the pursuit due to high speeds of the driver. They later found the vehicle driving north in the southbound lane of the expressway and it eventually crashed head on into another vehicle.
Tragically, the driver and one passenger of the stolen vehicle died, and another passenger suffered serious injuries. The four people in the other vehicle suffered serious to moderate injuries.
Relieving Central District Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says the IPCA found that overall Police managed this complex and dangerous fleeing driver incident appropriately in the circumstances:
“The outcome of this incident, which was the death of two young people and serious injuries to five members of the public is a tragedy and was completely avoidable.
Police use every serious incident as an opportunity to learn and we note the minor breaches of our police policy raised by the IPCA and have taken these onboard,” says Inspector Grantham.
The IPCA has recommended Police amend their Fleeing Driver Policy to specify that when a police vehicle is carrying crew members, those crew members are responsible for managing police communications during pursuits. Police are considering this recommendation.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
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Attribute to Senior Sergeant Andy Reid, Manawatū Road Policing Services Team Leader:
Road Policing staff from Manawatū and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team conducted a four-day operation last week, targeting driver behaviour and Heavy Motor Vehicle compliance across the upper Rangitikei and greater Ruapehu areas.
The operation ran over four days, from Wednesday 9 April to Saturday 12 April, with the focus on safety of road users across the region.
Across the four days, 20 checkpoints were conducted, and 7755 drivers were breath tested.
Three people blew over the legal breath alcohol limit. Two of those drivers received a $200 fine, forbidden to drive for 12 hours and had 50 demerit points added to their licence for two years. The third driver will appear before the court.
Nearly 130 infringement notices were issued during the operation, with 62 for speed, 8 for not wearing seatbelts and 2 drivers were on their cell phones. More than 50 notices were issued for other vehicle related offences.
Of the 61 heavy motor vehicles inspected, two were ordered off the road and issued with stickers, and one was not up to certificate of fitness standards.
While most drivers are doing the right thing, we are still disappointed that we’re continuing to see people putting themselves and other road users at risk.
Our aim is to prevent tragic incidents on our roads, and we make no apology for targeting dangerous driving behaviour including restraints, impairment, distractions, and speed.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
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One person has died, and another has been seriously injured following a crash on Lake Sumner Road this morning.
Police were called to the crash at around 11.30am.
Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.
Another person received serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
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Police can now name the person who died following a crash in Culverden on 15 April.
He was 73-year-old Linton Charrington Gardiner, from Waiau, Hurunui.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
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Sergeant Andrew Judson is sick of dealing with bike thieves.
One offender stole seven bikes in four days from busy, public places in central Christchurch. Another was beaten by his own game and had his stolen bike stolen.
Last week, Christchurch’s Community Beat Team set their sights on three prolific offenders. By the end of the week all three had been arrested and charged.
“We are apprehending bike thieves regularly, but removing the opportunity would go a long way to removing the problem,” says Sergeant Judson.
“Bike thieves take the easy option. If a bike has a decent lock on it, like a D lock, they’ll leave it alone.”
“It’s that simple. If you like your bike, lock it up properly, don’t give these criminals the opportunity.”
In last week’s crackdown, three men, aged 35, 36 and 52 years, were arrested on a variety of charges including theft and wilful damage. One has since pleaded guilty and been remanded in custody until sentencing.
If you witness any suspicious behaviour report it to Police on 105 if it’s after the fact or 111 if it’s happening now.
If you love your bike, register it with 529 Garage.
If you recover a bike, check 529 Garage to see if it’s registered.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
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Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash this morning.
At around 7am, Police were notified of the single vehicle crash on Charles Upham Drive in Rangiora.
Despite efforts by emergency services, one person died at the scene.
A scene examination has been completed and the road has reopened.
While enquiries into the crash are ongoing, initial indications suggest this is a suspected medical event and the death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
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Police can confirm the 50-year-old woman reported missing from the Addington area on 16 April has been located safe and well.
We would like to thank the members of the public who provided information that assisted in locating her.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
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In the 18 months to Monday, first responders had seen the result of crashes that killed 26 people around rural Canterbury.
By Tuesday, it was 28.
Inspector Peter Cooper, the Canterbury Rural Area Commander, is a 40-year veteran but says experience doesn’t make fatal crashes easier to deal with.
Ahead of the Easter weekend he’s urging motorists to take it slow and stay focused on their driving.
“Every one of those fatalities comes with a massive human toll, affecting the families and friends of the deceased, the motorists who are first on the scene, and the first responders – particularly the large number of them who are volunteers.
“Every death on the roads affects us all – it’s people in our rural community who are going to the deaths of people from their communities.”
Even for seasoned Police, seeing the effects of a crash on a person can be hard.
“In the space of two hours on Tuesday, the team that investigated a fatal crash in Culverden then had to attend the second fatal crash in Leithfield. It’s rough for everyone, and you’re seeing things nobody should have to see.”
Inspector Cooper didn’t want to dwell on the reasons for each crash – but he says drivers need to focus on driving safely rather than pushing themselves and their cars to the limits.
“If the weather’s bad like it’s meant to be this weekend, slow down. If you’re tired from driving, take rest breaks and take in the scenery.
“Drive like your life, and the lives of those you love, depends on it. When we say one death is too many, we mean it.”
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Issued by Police Media Centre.