A fugitive who leaped to his death from a New Zealand bridge after a dramatic police chase involving cars, helicopters and boats had been on the run for months.
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Alaric Eccleston was wanted previously after cutting off his home detention bracelet in April.
Police have spoken with Mr Eccleston’s immediate next of kin.
He ran from his auto and immediately jumped over the railing.
Thursday’s police chase began on the North Shore near Esmonde Road and continued through the suburbs of Parnell, Newmarket, Mt Eden and Mt Albert.
Police in July released this photo of Alaric Eccleston, 30, saying he had multiple warrants out for his arrest and should not be approached.
“He failed to stop for police and a pursuit was initiated, ” police said.
The man drove back onto the motorway and started to cross the Harbour Bridge again, this time heading north.
At Parnell, Eccleston used his auto to ram two police cars.
Police abandoned the chase in Newmarket because it was in a pedestrian area and the vehicle was being driven dangerously, with a police helicopter continuing to track the auto.
The incident lasted about 45-minutes, he said.
The vehicle was taken from an Orewa, North Shore address. “So at the time he stopped on the Harbour Bridge, police units were a short distance behind”.
“It appears the man has stopped his vehicle on the bridge and has jumped off the side”.
The incident caused the blocking of the left hand northbound lane of the bridge.
Police said officers from the Deodar police boat pulled Eccleston out of the water and performed CPR as they headed to the Marine Rescue Centre in Mechanics Bay.
Medics from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter helped with medical support, but the man was pronounced deceased.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will review what happened.
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The lanes were reopened just after 12.30pm.
