A teenager is dead after a street racing car fled from police and crashed into a house near Christchurch on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to a report of illegal street racing activity in the small rural town of Furnside in the Waimakariri District just before 4:45am.
Canterbury Rural Area Commander Inspector Peter Cooper said officers followed an offending vehicle for a "short time" but then stopped due to the manner of driving and the urban environment.
"The vehicle was found crashed into the side of a house on McIvor Place, Rangiora after it appeared to have hit a tree. No one in the house was hurt," Insp Cooper said.
Of the four people inside the vehicle, an 18-year-old female passenger died at the scene.
"Police are liaising with the family of the deceased," he said.
Insp Cooper confirmed another 18-year-old has been arrested and is speaking to police.
Two others were uninjured and are also speaking to police.
"Several investigations will now take place, including inquiries by the Serious Crash Unit," he said.
"The matter has been self-referred to the IPCA."
