Man allegedly jumps into Waitematā Harbour from motorway to escape police

A man is in hospital after allegedly entering the Waitematā Harbour near the Auckland Harbour Bridge in an attempt to flee from police following a car crash.

Police were called to a crash just north of the bridge on State Highway 1 around 9pm yesterday.

A driver had reportedly crossed multiple northbound lanes before hitting a median barrier. Nobody was injured in the incident.

A 60-year-old man was taken into custody, and officers began the process of testing his breath for alcohol.

"During the process, the man allegedly fled police custody and crossed multiple live lanes of the motorway, before jumping into the Waitematā Harbour and attempting to swim away from officers," a police spokesperson said.

Police said he did not jump off the bridge itself, with "no significant elevation" involved in his alleged escape attempt.

The man stayed in sight of officers, and with help from the Eagle helicopter and a police boat, was pulled from the water after about 30 minutes. He was then taken to hospital for treatment.

"Miraculously, the man did not suffer any substantive injuries however he remains under observation in hospital," police said.

At a bedside court hearing today, the man was charged with excess breath alcohol, careless driving, and escaping police custody.

He was due to reappear on July 6.