A motorcyclist has been seriously injured in a fleeing driver incident that blocked lanes in Auckland’s Waterview Tunnel this afternoon.
Police received reports of a motorcyclist riding on the wrong side of the road in the northbound lane of the Southwestern Motorway near Walmsley around 2.30pm.
Inspector Juliet Burgess said police signalled for the motorcyclist to stop but they failed to do so and fled from police.
“Police blocked the northern end of the Waterview Tunnel and again signalled for the motorcycle to stop. It did not stop and fled back into the tunnel.”
Footage seen by 1News showed two police cars blocking the southbound lanes of the Waterview Tunnel. It appeared to show a male rider maneuvering around inside tunnel on a motorbike while a car attempted to block his path.
Burgess said the motorcyclist eventually collided with a police vehicle in the tunnel.
“The motorcyclist was transported to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition.”
One southbound lane was blocked in the Waterview Tunnel while emergency services attended and the serious crash unit conducted a scene examination.
All lanes have since reopened but Burgess said there was still congestion on parts of the Auckland motorways.
“Police advise motorists to expect delays on the Southwestern Motorway and surrounding roading network.”