Police chase ends in crash

A police pursuit in the early hours of this morning ended in a crash at Collaroy.

Just after 3.15am this morning (Saturday, 28 September), officers attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling at Collaroy when they spotted a utility (ute) with two male occupants allegedly being driven erratically.

Police initiated a pursuit after the driver of the ute allegedly failed to stop when directed, accelerating eastbound along Cumberland Avenue, Collaroy. The driver of the ute failed to negotiate a bend in the road, going through a wooden barrier pole, down an embankment and into a brick wall in front of a home.

The ute had broken through the brick retaining wall and hit a gas meter, rupturing a supply line, causing a significant gas leak. The two occupants of the ute, a 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old man, were able to safely get themselves out of the vehicle at which point they were apprehended and arrested by pursuing police.

Firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Dee Why Station were called, arriving at the incident scene shortly before 3.30am. Assessing the risk posed by the ruptured gas line, an exclusion zone was established, closing Cumberland Avenue to traffic and evacuating residents from two nearby homes.

Two NSW Ambulance crews, including Intensive Care Paramedics, were also dispatched to the incident scene from Narrabeen Ambulance Station. The two male suspects were assessed for injury in separate ambulances under police guard. Neither appeared to have suffered any physical harm, but both were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital under police escort for further testing shortly after 4.00am.

As firefighters in breathing apparatus established fire protection with a hose line, monitored readings with a gas detector and stabilised the vehicle, one firefighter was able to get beneath the ute to inspect the damaged gas pipe just before 4.15am. Using hand tools, they were able to carefully cut away part of the car and reach the shut off valve on the gas meter to stop the flow of gas.

Although the immediate danger had been neutralised, firefighters, police and Jemena workers remained on scene until a tow truck could arrive and remove the ute from the wall shortly before 7.00am.

A spokesperson for NSW Police said the matter was now under investigation, and that police would be awaiting the outcome of test results from the two men before determining what charges may be laid in relation to the incident.

Images: Northern Beaches Advocate (file), Luke Gavahan

NSW Police are seeking public assistance in relation to this matter. If you have any information that may assist them with their inquiries, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.