A police pursuit in Northland has ended with five people injured, two seriously.
A car allegedly drove off from a police patrol stop near Awanui in the Far North at about 5:30pm on Saturday.
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It was chased for seven kilometres but the driver lost control near Kaingaroa, hitting a barrier, before swerving into another car.
The 35-year-old female driver has been arrested and was found to have been breaching her conditions.
She went through a roadside breath testing procedure and was taken to Kaitaia Hospital for a medical check and further blood alcohol testing.
Police say more charges are likely.
Her two passengers, both females in their 20s have been hospitalised with serious injuries. Two people from the oncoming vehicles have been treated for minor injuries.
State Highway 10 was closed for some time while the serious crash unit investigated. It reopened around 10pm on Saturday.
A police investigation into the incident has begun and the Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified.
"We want to remind drivers that if you’re asked to pull over by Police, please stop. The risk of fleeing Police can result in serious injury or death, which we are trying to avoid," the New Zealand police said in a statement.
"The risk of not stopping is not worth your safety, your passengers’ safety, or that of other road users."
Newshub.
