Man allegedly sparks police chase with two children in car before wrong-way highway crash

A man has allegedly dragged two children along for a police chase, driven the wrong way on a Sydney highway and then bundled the kids into a stolen car.

The wild episode began in Belmore in Sydney’s west on Saturday about 3pm.

A police spokesperson said officers were called to do a welfare check on a 36-year-old man in Belmore, but he refused to pull over and police gave chase.

“The pursuit continued into Auburn before it was terminated due to the manner of the man’s driving,” the spokesperson said.

“A short time later, the vehicle was seen allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the M4 Motorway before colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

“Following the crash, the man allegedly exited the vehicle with two children and unsuccessfully attempted to steal another car.”

A 25-year-old man stopped and tried to help, but he suffered a slash wound on his hand.

“It is alleged the man then stole the vehicle of a woman who had stopped to help, before putting the two children into the car and driving westbound along the M4 Motorway,” the police spokesperson said.

“The vehicle stopped on the Cumberland Highway, where the man was arrested by an off-duty police sergeant and assisted by members of the public.”

The children had minor injuries and were taken to hospital as a precaution. The man was taken to hospital under police guard. As of Sunday afternoon he had not been charged.

Originally published as Man allegedly sparks police chase with two children in car before wrong-way highway crash