The aftermath of a crash in the Christchurch suburb of South Brighton, on Rocking Horse Road. Photo: RNZ/Adam Burns
Armed police are searching for an offender reported to have a gun, who fled a car crash in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton.
It plunged a nearby primary school into lockdown for around two hours.
Police said they were called to Rocking Horse Road after a car collided with two parked vehicles. No one was injured in the crash.
"It is reported the offender fled the scene with a firearm," a police spokesperson said.
Police are making enquiries to identify and locate the offender.
A local woman, who did not want to be named, said neighbours came rushing out when they heard the crash happen.
"We all heard a giant crash and were quite concerned because it was the kind of crash where you think people have been hurt. We rushed out from all directions," she said.
She said locals saw a young man running down the road and into a side street.
"Two older women were walking down the street, I don't know if they actually saw it happen but they saw him running down the road and he had an air rifle in his hand. They tried to stop him, which wasn't very wise," she said.
"The police said they had no luck with the dogs. The young man has vanished."
Nelson Myers-Daley said his wife was home at the time the car crashed into their parked car, leaving it badly damaged.
"She heard a big crash of metal and came running out, then she saw someone jumping out of the car and running," he said.
Myers-Daley said the force of the crash propelled their car about four metres forward.
"It's not what you want to have happen on sunny day on Rocking Horse Road. Hopefully they find whoever did it," he said.
South New Brighton School. Photo: Google Maps
South New Brighton School in Christchurch was put in lockdown just after 2pm on Tuesday. The lockdown was lifted around two hours later.
A school representative confirmed the school is in lockdown and parents have been contacted.
A message from the school said police had advised the school of an incident in the area, and to go into lockdown.
It said police will let the school know when students could go home.
Police said cordons are in place and the public is asked to avoid the area.
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