Injured fleeing driver still in hospital

The 18-year-old driver of a car which crashed after fleeing police remains in a critical condition in Palmerston North Hospital.

The Palmerston North man had to be cut free from the wreckage of his car after crashing into a concrete sign outside Awatapu College about 2.15am yesterday. Two passengers in the car were treated for minor injuries and discharged from hospital yesterday.

Police had seen the car being driven erratically and went to stop it but the driver fled and crashed approximately 30 seconds later.

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the orange coloured Honda Accord being driven in the Park Road and College Street areas about 2am yesterday.

Senior Sergeant Phil Ward said the some people had contacted police yesterday on learning of the crash. He asks others who saw the car being driven in the area before the crash to contact Palmerston North Police on 06 351 3600.