Patrol loses car

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 10

Patrol loses car

By

GLENIS CARROLL

A bronze BMW was pursued by the Ministry of Transport near Oxford yesterday until it disappeared from the sight of the patrol car. Sergeant Tony Ellis, of. the Ministry of Transport at Rangiora, said the speeds reached during the chase exceeded lOOkm/h but were not dangerous. He stopped pursuing the car because he lost sight of it and was nearing Oxford. “I felt if I dropped back it would stop the driver from continuing at the same speed into Oxford,” he said. He radioed ahead to ask the Oxford police to stop the car as it travelled through the town but it appeared to take another route and disappeared. The car, which was driven by a man, was first detected speeding north on the northern highway, at 7.40 a.m. Sergeant Ellis said he followed the car as it turned into Tram Road and headed towards Oxford but it was not until about half way along Tram Road that the car began to speed up.. ... . . The red lights were flashing on the unmarked patrol car. ■> - Sergeant Ellis said traffic was light on the road at the time and he did not believe the driver, if found, would face. charges 'of dangerous. driving.' . • The Ministry was continuing inquiries into the accident, he said. : - - ... . .. .