The issue of police pursuits always raises the question of safety for police staff, those being chased and the general public. Four men had medical checks today after two cars were engulfed in flames on the side of the road after a pursuit near Tweed Heads.
Police say that three men are in custody after the chase. The incident began with officers from Tweed/Byron Police District pursuing a sedan north along the M1 Pacific Motorway about 1.55pm.
Traffic and Highway Patrol officers deployed road spikes at Duranbah Tunnel near Chinderah and the sedan’s tyres were deflated; however, when the sedan and a Highway Patrol car stopped on the shoulder, the grass caught fire destroying both vehicles.
The three men were removed from their car and checked at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Tweed Heads Police Station.
One police officer has been taken to Tweed Heads Hospital to be checked as a precaution for smoke inhalation.
The M1 was closed when the fire spread to surrounding bushland. It has now been extinguished and the motorway opened.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.
