Police Car Struck Prior To Fatal Crash

An elderly male motorist has died after his car was struck by an out of control vehicle at a major intersection in Albany this afternoon.

A police car was also hit at the intersection and up to five other vehicles are damaged as a result of the serious crash incident.

The incident happened prior to 1.00pm today Tuesday 2 February 2010 at the intersection of Rosedale and Bush Roads in Albany.

North Shore Police Area Commander Inspector Les Paterson says a police vehicle was travelling to a “priority one” incident and had slowed to a virtual stop as it approached the intersection in the centre lane.

The police unit was caught behind other cars that were waiting at a red light and accordingly was unable to proceed further at that stage.

The officers then observed a jeep Cherokee was travelling behind them in the same direction at considerable speed and they tried to take evasive action by slipping between lanes. The Cherokee then collided with the rear of the police car causing it to jettison forward over 50 metres.

The jeep then flipped. During this action it crossed the centre line and struck an oncoming car being driven by the elderly man.

The driver of the offending vehicle has been taken to North Shore hospital by ambulance with moderate injuries. These are not life threatening.

The two police officers in the unit were shaken but not seriously hurt. There are no reported injuries to the occupants of the five other vehicles involved in the crash.

Serious Crash Investigators were at the scene shortly afterward and the matter is being overseen by the CIB.