New Zealand Police Alert 5:00pm 10 Apr 2009 Waitemata

Location of incident: North Shore

Incident type: Serious traffic incident

MEDIA RELEASE
North Shore Police
10th April 2009
1700hrs.

North Shore Police are seeking witnesses to an illegal street race that ended in tragedy in Bayview just after midnight last night, Thursday the 9th of April 2009. A 17 year old female Beach Haven resident was seriously injured after one of the vehicles involved in the illegal street race hit her. As a result she was hospitalised, and her leg has been amputated below the knee.

Senior Sergeant Mark FERGUS of the North Shore Police says that two vehicles were seen racing around suburban streets at about midnight in the Bayview area shortly before the crash occurred at the end of Manuka Road.

The female victim was at a carpark at the end of this road, when one of the cars came at speed down the road, lost control, and hit her. The driver was spoken to at the scene.

Senior Sergeant FERGUS states that while the North Shore area does not have a problem with organised illegal street races, isolated incidents do occur, and this tragic event highlights the dangers of such activity. He says that when an innocent girl has her life changed forever, surely it is time for these people to think of the consequences of their actions before they get behind the wheel and put lives at risk with senseless actions. Any charges that arise from this incident will be considered once the investigation and full forensic examination is complete.

Witnesses are asked to come forward who may have seen two vehicles driving at speed at about midnight on Thursday night, in the Bayview Area. Anyone with information may contact the North Shore Policing Centre, ph 09 477 5000, 24 hours a day.

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Issued By: Sergeant Christopher Money

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