Police are searching for a driver who fled at high speed along railway tracks north of Levin before crashing and abandoning the vehicle.
The incident unfolded around midday on Tuesday when a car was spotted travelling at excessive speed through Koputaroa. Despite being signalled to stop, the driver accelerated away.
Rather than taking the main road, the vehicle veered onto the railway tracks, causing further danger before it crashed and was left abandoned.
Police cordoned off the area and conducted a search for the vehicle’s occupant or occupants but were unsuccessful. KiwiRail was notified, and the vehicle was removed from the tracks to ensure rail services were not disrupted.
A police spokesperson confirmed that inquiries were continuing late on Tuesday afternoon.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about dangerous driving and fleeing drivers in the region.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact Levin Police or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.