- 6 hours ago
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00New Zealand's highways, 11,000 kilometres of some of the most spectacular and unforgiving roads on the planet.
00:10Over a thousand dedicated road safety staff are tasked with keeping our highways and byways safe.
00:19It can be a bit scary being in a car crash so I thought we'd just give you a teddy.
00:23It's a job that brings its own perils.
00:27He lost his hat. She is wild.
00:30And rewards.
00:31I like that ball this here. Best male.
00:33Come to New Zealand. Be famous.
00:35Stay safe on the road.
00:37This is Highway Cops.
00:41Tonight, there's a car inferno on the riverbank.
00:45Oh, is someone coming out? Come to me!
00:47Can you stand up for us?
00:48You're the only one in the car, mate.
00:52Life lessons in Otago.
00:54Now he's going to regret it for the rest of his life.
00:58An urgent situation in Taranaki.
01:00The only reason I went for a drive was to go get food paper.
01:03I've been walking it in all morning.
01:06And a clucky car full of fun heads up the Weitake Valley.
01:10Hi.
01:11I'm the bride's me.
01:13I love you.
01:17Hi.
01:29I'm the bride's me.
01:31I love you.
01:43I'm the bride's me.
02:01I love you.
02:01Stopped you because you're going a little bit quick.
02:03I'd probably just push on the accelerator.
02:05That'll do it.
02:06Make it go faster when you press on the accelerator.
02:08You don't like the cold.
02:10Why did you come to the South Island of New Zealand in winter?
02:13Because it's scenic.
02:14It is very scenic.
02:15It's beautiful.
02:16Yeah, it is very beautiful.
02:17You think it's beautiful?
02:19Oh yeah.
02:20But yeah, driving conditions, wintertime, snow, ice, grit on the road.
02:24So please be safe because we want you to have a good holiday.
02:28Will the next speeding tourists allow Grant to stay as cool as a cucumber?
02:34Hello.
02:35How are you?
02:36Good.
02:37You were good.
02:38But then this policeman came along and said you're speeding.
02:41Because the scenery is too pretty, you can't help but just walk around at that.
02:45Oh, that's what you came here for, wasn't it?
02:47You didn't come here for a speeding ticket.
02:49100.
02:50That's as fast as we go.
02:52Sorry?
02:54Are a bit lower?
02:55Yeah.
02:55Have you seen the state of our roads?
02:56And our drivers?
02:58Yeah.
02:58Yeah, that's why.
02:59Yeah, that's why.
03:01Grant has some final important advice for the young Aussie couple.
03:05If he's going to spend 80 bucks on speeding tickets, you spend 80 bucks on something for
03:08yourself.
03:09Totally.
03:11As the snow melts, the speeds are increasing.
03:14122.
03:16And it turns out this car is another one carrying a precious cargo.
03:20Why did I stop Dad?
03:22Because he was going 120.
03:25Oh, well done.
03:26He was going too fast, wasn't he?
03:28I want to ride in your police car.
03:30You want to ride in the police car?
03:31Or should that be precocious cargo?
03:34Do you want to come and jump in there now?
03:35Just be careful of the road because people speed along here.
03:38No.
03:41What's your name, love?
03:43Ava.
03:43Ava.
03:44Come on back here, Ava.
03:47So this car is called a Skoda.
03:50Just a super cool school kid in a Skoda.
03:53What could go wrong?
03:54That's what makes all the lights and everything go.
03:56Okay Grant, it's pop quiz time.
03:59Where are all your handcuffs?
04:01My handcuffs?
04:02I've got handcuffs here somewhere.
04:03Yeah, there's stuff here.
04:05There's a baton there.
04:06There's stuff there.
04:07I've got lots of stuff.
04:09Sorry?
04:09That's a taser.
04:10That's a taser.
04:12Yeah, don't jump in the driver's seat.
04:15There you go.
04:16So, that was a good lesson, wasn't it?
04:19Which was...
04:20He made a mistake at the exact wrong time
04:23and now he's going to regret it for the rest of his life.
04:27Any questions, anyone?
04:29Oh, we can't go through the traffic lights if we're not in a hurry.
04:32It's only for an emergency.
04:35Policies can go in red lights if it's an emergency.
04:42What else have you learnt, Ava?
04:44Um, that polices can arrest polices.
04:49Anything to add, Grant?
04:50Yes, ice and snow, be slow.
04:53Ice and snow, be slow.
04:55I like it.
04:56Right, Ava, you need to jump back in and put your seatbelt on, don't you?
04:59What if I don't?
05:00What if you don't?
05:01I'll get a ticket.
05:02No, we'll get it.
05:03If you don't put your seatbelt on, we get a ticket.
05:05Just one more question.
05:07See you, guys.
05:09Do I have a child?
05:11Yes, I have a child.
05:13Yes, I have a lovely wife.
05:15I have to say that.
05:15It's on TV.
05:17She is a policewoman.
05:18You're very intuitive, Ava.
05:20See you later.
05:23There was lots going on there.
05:25Well, that's all right.
05:26A positive interaction.
05:28A positive interaction.
05:32The mighty Clutha River boasts New Zealand's highest volume of water.
05:37And tucked beside it is State Highway 8 and the picturesque town of Roxborough.
05:43Constable James MacDonald is just driving through the old gold mining town when he gets a call to look out
05:49for a dangerous driver.
05:51Vehicle heading north down State Highway 8, heading towards Roxborough.
05:56Vehicle was described as going 140 over 100 and it was swerving off the road and passes all this oncoming
06:03traffic.
06:03We don't have a registration, but it was two doors, late model, silver, and that's the skyline.
06:09This is the skyline.
06:10Keep an eye out for that as well.
06:11But James hasn't got time to spot the skyline, because he needs to be somewhere else.
06:17A car has gone 50 metres down into a paddock and it's something like that.
06:22Copy.
06:2310-2 from Roxborough.
06:26And he needs to be there fast.
06:29A car on fire here.
06:31It's in amongst the trees.
06:34A little large tree on fire.
06:36Quite intense flames.
06:37Nice.
06:38The huge column of smoke is already clearly visible.
06:42One police officer and some medics are already on the scene, so James goes to see where he's needed most.
06:49Keep going.
06:50Yeah, it's a vehicle involved.
06:51The other officer is trying to get through the intense heat to the burning car to try and locate the
06:57occupants.
06:58We don't know anyone's on there.
07:01The fire service has arrived and James has joined the first officer when...
07:07Oh, is someone coming out?
07:08Coming to me?
07:09They have to get away from the car and find out if anyone else is still in the raging inferno.
07:16Coming to me?
07:20Come on up, mate.
07:21Can you stand up for us?
07:22Can you stand up?
07:24Stand up.
07:27Take time, take your time, take your time.
07:30Take your time.
07:30Take your time.
07:31Are you the only...
07:32Swap.
07:33Are you the only one in the car?
07:35The only one in the car, mate?
07:36Any other unit.
07:37Have a seat, mate.
07:37Have a seat, mate.
07:38Have a seat, have a seat.
07:38Luckily, the medical first responders are on hand.
07:41Have a seat, have a seat.
07:43So James doesn't have to administer first aid.
07:46Comms ODT1 sitrep.
07:48He has to let everyone know the situation.
07:50One person in the car who has managed to get out and has been seen by St. John Fire Ambo
07:58Onsene.
07:59Car still on fire.
08:02Roger.
08:06James really needs to see that burning car to confirm there are no passengers and to see
08:12if it is the car from the dangerous driving complaint.
08:15It's pretty hot in there.
08:16But the flames are way too intense.
08:20Hopefully, they can get the fire under control before they run out of water.
08:26We're not going to have enough water there.
08:33St. John Fire Ambo On the banks of the Clutha River, a car is consumed in a blazing inferno.
08:45Can you stand up?
08:47Stand up.
08:48Constable James MacDonald and a team of first responders are trying to fight the flames.
08:55We're not going to have enough water there.
08:57We're going to stay to look around it, eh?
08:59Do you want to request a tanker or not?
09:01Over.
09:01Yes, we do.
09:03The injured driver is stable enough to move to the shade, but they still can't confirm he was alone in
09:09the car.
09:10Good man.
09:10It's slow.
09:11It's slow.
09:12Coming in some shade, eh?
09:14Yep.
09:15What's your name?
09:17It's crucial to get as much information from the clearly groggy and disoriented man as they can as quickly as
09:24possible.
09:25Was anyone else in the car?
09:27No, just you.
09:28Good man.
09:29Good man.
09:29Just relax.
09:30Just relax with me.
09:31What's your name, brother?
09:32I'm just going to keep you coming.
09:34A first name is a start, but there's a lot more to find out.
09:39You're doing well to get out of the car.
09:42You did?
09:42Get out of that high wall car, which is all burning up, eh?
09:46It was on fire.
09:47It was on fire.
09:48It was on fire.
09:49He scared us when we came to see you.
09:52The driver can't shed any light on how he got out of the car, but he says there was no
09:57one else with him.
09:58Yeah, we can't confirm yet.
10:00He's saying that there wasn't, but we have to be able to check.
10:03So, once fire have made it safe, then we'll be able to do an examination, but hopefully it's just him
10:09and he's lucky to get out.
10:10So, he's status two.
10:12He's taken a big head knock, but his heart is pretty good in that and his vitals are reasonably good.
10:17So, I think we're probably going to get a halo inbound just because we're so far away from an ED.
10:22The immediate threat has been dealt with and now there are other details to work out.
10:28Ten drivers suspected one cake at the station.
10:30The driver smells strongly of alcohol and James suspects this might be the speeding vehicle that people have been phoning
10:37police about.
10:38How he left the road and travelled so far before hitting the tree is looking increasingly odd.
10:43So, we believe that it's the one you that came in, but with a time delay.
10:48Things move pretty quickly in our job.
10:50You can see there you've got massive ore marks.
10:53He's driving northbound.
10:56What it looks like he's gone too far over the fogline and then he's just suddenly grabbed that wheel and
11:03just head across to the wrong side of the road, over the verge, through the paddock, about 200 metres, 250
11:10metres, down a bank and into a tree and then the car's caught fire.
11:14Finally, everyone's suspicions are confirmed.
11:17A firefighter has managed to get the number plate of the burnt vehicle.
11:20It does belong to the silver Nissan Skyline with the dangerous driving complaint.
11:25This reckless driver has put himself, other road users and emergency services in grave danger.
11:32It was pretty hot. I was just glad that he was away from the car enough for us to get
11:37him.
11:38Because if we were sort of any closer, we would have been putting us south at quite a bit of
11:43harm.
11:45The chopper has arrived from Dunedin.
11:48Yes, I've just left the pyramid to do their thing, but it sounds like he hasn't deteriorated, so that it's
11:53getting him stable for transport to Dunedin at this stage.
11:56And James can finally approach the car.
12:00Obviously a bit of a scene exam on the car, just visual, just to have a look at it.
12:03Obviously it's in ash really, but just have a bit of a look and see if there's anything else that
12:08indicates it not running a seatbelt and out the windscreen.
12:11Just, we're thinking possible ejection out the front windscreen. Maybe it caused a head injury.
12:18There's a river down there.
12:19He is shocked to see how close it came to ending up in the river.
12:24Front windscreen's all pushed out. Could have well been an ejection out the front windscreen.
12:30For now, a huge crew of first responders are looking after the driver and removing any danger.
12:36How you survived it, I don't know. No idea. Done an awesome job.
12:42Yeah.
12:43Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah.
12:47Pretty going fine.
12:49Thanks guys. Thanks for your help. Thanks, sirs.
12:52But the turnout, we all got the turnout. All within probably 10 minutes, you know, so pretty, pretty lucky.
12:59Basically what we're left with now is a scene examination. So serious crash, you're going to come down.
13:06The driver has gone to hospital, so we'll get bloods done to determine whether alcohol and drugs were affected.
13:14And then we'll put it all together and decide what happens with it, basically.
13:20But I'm just glad no one else was injured.
13:30The central feature of the Taranaki region is the perfect picture of volcanic glory.
13:37Taranaki Mauma.
13:40Trolling the spider web of roads around its base, Sergeant Pat Duffy has spotted a vehicle that piques his curiosity.
13:47Just going to catch up to this van. Had three people along the front seat.
13:52And my money's on the front seat passenger. Probably not wearing a seatbelt.
13:55And on second look at the van, it's quite rough looking. It's missing its rear window, covered in plastic.
14:03Why is this man waving loo paper like a white flag?
14:07Pat needs to get to the bottom of this.
14:10All I was getting, boss.
14:11Oh, no, no, that's the reason why I stopped you.
14:13This driver has an urgent need to explain everything.
14:18I've still got to get my licence back, boss.
14:20Oh, OK.
14:20I'm just waiting for reinstatement.
14:22And because of wins, I really just needed to go get a ****.
14:26OK.
14:27But first, Pat needs to check what's going on in the van.
14:30The reason why I stopped you, three people in the front seat.
14:33Yeah, we all got seatbelts on.
14:45There's a lot here that Pat needs to unpack.
14:48So what's the story with your licence anyhow?
14:50I have my fault.
14:51Yeah, yeah.
14:52I've just got to reinstate it.
14:53Oh, piece of cake.
14:54Piece of cake.
14:55Piece of cake.
14:56I've been given compliance on the van and my licence.
14:59No worries.
14:59There's some stuff that need doing.
15:02What stuff?
15:03The driver is keen to leave no detail out.
15:06It was rusty all the way through here.
15:08I've fixed the whole lot.
15:09So it failed on the ribbon on that.
15:11And I've been doing a thing a week to get it going.
15:14This is my Christmas present.
15:16I'm just waiting for the guy to turn up to do it.
15:18OK.
15:18It's already been paid for.
15:19No, just look at the state of your tyres too.
15:21These ones are...
15:22Yeah, I've just got to wait for the tyre shop to be open
15:24to put two of the tyres onto the rims
15:26so they're all the same rims all around.
15:28I was working on it before I got locked up.
15:29I got locked up and it just sort of set me back a little bit, that's all.
15:33It might take more than two ply to wipe this driver's slate clean.
15:37The only reason I went for a drive was to go get poo paper.
15:40It's time to clean up this mess.
15:43Just got to do the usual checks there.
15:44You haven't been drinking at all today?
15:46I had drinks last night.
15:47Last night?
15:48So it might be a little bit on my breath.
15:49Was it a big session last night?
15:51Yeah, it was a big session last night.
15:51You know how it can carry through to the next day, eh?
15:53Yeah, yeah, I know.
15:54I sort of waited till about now before I went...
15:56Yeah, but you were feeling OK in yourself, yeah?
15:58Yeah, yeah.
15:59I mean, that's your good indicator.
16:00If you're not feeling right, then that's when you should be saying,
16:02nah, not going there, eh?
16:04Yeah, I've been done for it three times.
16:05I'm not that stupid, you know.
16:07So this is not the first time he's done this.
16:10Let's hope he's learned.
16:12Sweet.
16:13So other than...
16:14Oh, yeah, so what's wrong with the van that's...
16:16I need to read them.
16:17Yeah, yeah.
16:17Oh, OK.
16:18Definitely need a new plate as well.
16:19I mean, that was hard to read.
16:20I actually thought there wasn't a plate.
16:23See, there's that one there and that one there.
16:25Yeah, yeah.
16:25That plate, I don't know what it's to,
16:27but the one at the back is to my old laser.
16:30Pat realises he needs to put a cap on both his head
16:34and the number of identities of this van.
16:37None of them were stolen or anything.
16:38No.
16:39What else?
16:40They would have taken them off me in Hawada and Stetson.
16:42I've been pulled up twice, I know.
16:44How long that was the last one?
16:47About a week and a half ago in Hawada.
16:49And he said, just go through your essentials in it
16:52and that's it.
16:52And that's why I walked out with the toilet paper.
16:55That's essential, ain't it?
16:57Yeah, pretty essential.
16:59Yeah, no argument on that front.
17:00I'll be holding it in all morning.
17:02OK.
17:04Pat needs to unroll this paper trail.
17:07Coms PA HS1.
17:09It's just off of the van.
17:10It's got two different number plates
17:12and a different Rego label.
17:14Just after an engine chassis check, thanks.
17:17The front number plate,
17:18there was a petrol drive off.
17:29In Karanaki,
17:31Sergeant Pat Duffy
17:32is dealing with a driver
17:33making an urgent trip
17:35in a dodgy van
17:36hiding many identities.
17:38The front number plate,
17:39there was a petrol drive off.
17:43There is footage.
17:44So, but I can't access that
17:47so I'd have to have a look at it.
17:48Apparently the front plate
17:49has done a petrol run off.
17:50Right?
17:51Yeah.
17:52That's all right, wasn't me.
17:53Coms checks the CCTV footage
17:56and confirms this van
17:57wasn't involved in the drive off.
18:00David, so far it's sounding all right, mate.
18:03Yeah.
18:05That would have been another thing to my list.
18:07One thing still on the list
18:09is the matter of the driver's licence status.
18:12Your licence, as you said,
18:13is reinstate only.
18:14It is going to be a ticket for the licence,
18:16but that's easily fixed.
18:17I'm going to push it out to 56 days.
18:19I will need to take a couple of photos.
18:21Pat has a long list of bolts to photograph here,
18:24but missed the best shot of the day,
18:26which is definitely this one.
18:28These two, they've bolted in the car.
18:30Oh, you're right.
18:32What I do need to do, though, now as well
18:34is just forbid you from driving
18:35while you're on a reinstate.
18:37I need to take the plate off the car
18:38because it's been involved in a petrol drive off,
18:40so we don't want that showing up again.
18:41I'll follow you around the corner
18:43and then we'll do the paperwork there, okay,
18:45because I can't let you drive from here.
18:47Kind of curious why it takes three
18:48to go and pick up a toilet roll, but hey!
18:50No, no, no.
18:51If it's two, because I've got a little bit of a start...
18:54This is the other thing.
18:55I've got a little bit of a starter motor problem.
18:57So every now and then,
18:58one of us has got to tap this starter motor
19:00and get in for it to start.
19:02He's having starter motor issues.
19:04Vehicle don't start tap the starter motor.
19:07Oh, you seatbelt, guys.
19:09Don't get your seatbelt.
19:10Don't get your seatbelt.
19:11Have a good day, guys.
19:14We will.
19:17Sweet.
19:18Have a good one.
19:23No, no, he was all right.
19:25Back at home, the driver's wasting no time
19:28getting the rogue plates off his van.
19:32Want to keep a screw, the next one?
19:34No.
19:35No, they'll probably put new screws in the van.
19:38Yeah, you want those temper-proof ones
19:39so no one can nick off of them, eh?
19:42Speaking of things the boys don't want nicked...
19:44It's better than bloody newspaper on tap, eh?
19:48If you're nice to the police, they're nice to you.
19:51Make sure your vehicle's always legit.
19:56And...
19:56stay safe on the road.
19:59Yeah, just attaching the non-op-order stickers
20:01on the vehicle.
20:03They're not allowed to be removed until it's sorted,
20:05even though the rear window's now plastic.
20:08OK, boys, we are done.
20:10Enjoy the day.
20:11Cheers.
20:11Every good one follows.
20:13The three non-drivers head inside,
20:16past their large new garden ornament,
20:18which is such a relief.
20:21They're a good bunch of lads to talk to and deal with, actually,
20:23so I hope they do get things sorted
20:26and given a bit of a chance for that.
20:34The highways of North Otaku
20:36are the gateway to the adventure capital of Aotearoa.
20:39Can't complain with, you know,
20:42working around these mountains and the lakes
20:44and, you know, it's pretty cruisy around here.
20:48For Constable Kieran Reeve,
20:50that means meeting all kinds of people
20:52heading away on big fun adventures.
20:54Get to enjoy a little bit of that
20:56and watching everyone enjoy the sun
20:58and getting on the lakeside and burning themselves.
21:01But there's no need to rush.
21:03The fun will still be there if you're ten minutes late.
21:07Going a little bit quick.
21:08Oh, they've pulled over.
21:10Kieran can see this might be a full load of fun seekers.
21:13Looks like a car full,
21:15so potentially family and just down for a holiday.
21:20G'day.
21:21Hello.
21:21What are you up to for the day?
21:22We're going where hens do.
21:23A car full of six chicks heading to a party.
21:27Oh, right.
21:31Sounds like an episode of the Kardashians.
21:34Where is it?
21:35In Queenstown.
21:36There's still plenty of time.
21:39I'll just run some checks, all right?
21:40Yay!
21:41Why not?
21:42Hi.
21:43I'm the bride's there.
21:45Your hens do's now.
21:46A flock of hens flown in from Oamaru.
21:49We are.
21:49Hi, yep.
21:51They're pretty fine in there.
21:52Sending a message into the future for the husband-to-be.
21:56Hi, darling.
21:58I love you.
22:00Promise to not get too rowdy tonight.
22:02That's a wee pre-party bonus of an $80 fine and 20 demerits.
22:07Going to be even later now.
22:09Yeah, thank you.
22:10Bye.
22:10Enjoy your time.
22:11Drive safe.
22:12We will.
22:12Okay?
22:13All right.
22:14See yous later.
22:16Getting an infringement notice in the email and hopefully that'll slow her down.
22:21The speeding family received a fine of $170 for going 22 kilometres over the limit.
22:28This man got a 12-month disqualification, over $5,000 in fines and reparation to pay, and
22:34five months home detention.
22:35He had to get counselling and a zero alcohol licence.
22:38The driver of the van has still not reinstated his licence and now owes a $400 fine.
22:45Any vehicle he has caught driving from now on will be impounded on the spot.
22:49Drugs and alcohol are a factor in 44% of all fatal crashes.
22:54Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Comments