A driver who fled from Central Otago police at 140kmh and swerved past road spikes is continuing to elude police.
A search by police yesterday afternoon after the blue Honda Civic was driven into an area of rugged and scrubby terrain near the base of Alexandra's clock on the hill failed to find the vehicle or its occupants.
Central Otago sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk was last night confident the male driver would be found.
''We'll be making inquiries with the registered owner of the vehicle and are following a positive line of inquiry,'' he said.
The drama began when the speeding driver failed to stop for a police patrol on State Highway 8 between Tarras and Cromwell yesterday morning.
After a high-speed pursuit towards Cromwell, road spikes were set up near Muttontown, between Clyde and Alexandra.
The driver avoided them and continued towards Alexandra.
Police abandoned the pursuit on safety grounds as the car was approaching Alexandra.
The Honda was seen a short time later in Alexandra where the driver fled at speed again.
''Again, he was accelerating at speed in the township and it was decided not to pursue.
"We weren't prepared to put the public, the police, or indeed even the driver of that vehicle, at risk,'' Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
The vehicle, which contained at least two men, was next seen near Tucker Hill Rd, on the outskirts of the town.
Police blocked off the only access road into the area and searched by vehicle and on foot, eventually calling the search off ''as we needed to use our staff resources elsewhere'', Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
''While it was frustrating not to apprehend the driver, we'd far rather that occurred than someone getting injured or worse - the safety of the public is the main thing.''
The vehicle had not been reported stolen, he said.
Police want to hear from the driver or occupants of the vehicle or from anyone with information about the incident or who might have seen the vehicle.
