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Police are investigating the circumstances of a man’s death in Newmarket early this morning.
Superintendent Zane Hooper, Auckland Police Deployment Commander, says just before 1am, a stationary police unit was conducting speed checks on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane.
“A vehicle passed the unit and was detected travelling at excessive speed.
“After a short delay, the police unit moved from its stationary position, activating its blue and red lights, and started travelling in the same direction as the motorist was last seen.
“Camera operators began to monitor the vehicle’s movements.
“A short time later the speeding vehicle collided with the centre barrier on the Newmarket flyover, before moving to the left side barrier and coming to a stop.
“The police unit that was some distance behind initially passed the stationary vehicle, which was obscured by a passing truck, and was advised by camera operators.”
Hooper says the driver of the vehicle exited it. The police unit carried on heading north, subsequently re-directing themselves back to the scene through the motorway network sometime later.
Before the police unit arrived at the stationary vehicle, a camera operator observed the man climb over the motorway barrier, where he had either fallen or dropped to the ground below the overbridge.
“Police patrols were immediately deployed to the commercial area below the Newmarket flyover and provided first aid,” Hooper says.
“Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.
“This is a tragic event for all those attending staff and welfare has been put in place for our people.
“Police are also in liaison with the family of the deceased man.”
Hooper says police have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) of the incident, as is standard procedure in these circumstances.
The police’s serious crash unit attended the scene on the Newmarket flyover and carried out an examination.
A critical incident investigation has been established to understand fully what happened.
As part of that investigation, a post-mortem will be carried out with formal identification procedures to be completed.
