A pedestrian has died after being hit by a fleeing driver in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton.
A police statement said the incident unfolded about 1:55pm. Police confirmed to Newshub later in the afternoon the pedestrian had died.
Witness Sam Heselwood said he was working nearby when he saw a white van with it's backdoor open drive passed, with about five or six police cars following.
"It was pretty crazy - there was a couple of us on a roof and we weren't really expecting it," he told Newshub. "It's not really something you see every day."
Acting Canterbury District commander Mike Johnson said police started a pursuit with a vehicle of interest when it failed to stop about 2pm.
The pursuit was soon abandoned due to the manner in which it was being driven, Johnson said.
Two people were then arrested, he said, but a third person stole a vehicle nearby and rammed a police dog van.
"Soon after the stolen vehicle collided with a pedestrian," Johnson said. "The vehicle then fled the scene."
Johnson said police were working to locate the vehicle and the driver.
Newshub's Mel Logan was at the scene. She says New Brighton's Shaw St was cordoned off, and there was a heavy police presence.
It's understood the person who died lived locally.
Johnson said the serious crash unit was at the scene and inquiries were continuing.
Newshub.
