Bedside court hearing for man after reckless Waitematā Harbour escape attempt
A man has faced charges in a bedside court hearing after he allegedly attempted to flee police by diving into the Waitematā Harbour following a crash near the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Police received reports of a collision just north of the bridge about 9pm last night after a man allegedly crossed several northbound lanes and struck the State Highway 1 median barrier.
No one was injured in the crash.
The 60-year-old man was taken into custody to undergo evidential breath alcohol procedures but escaped, running across traffic to jump across the barrier into the Waitematā Harbour.
With assistance from the Police Eagle and the Police Maritime Unit, officers were able to monitor the man’s movements as he tried to swim away from the scene.
He was retrieved from the water 30 minutes later uninjured and taken to hospital where he remains under observation.
The man today faced a bedside court hearing for charges of driving with excess breath alcohol, careless driving, and escaping police custody
He is set to reappear on July 6.