A truck driver intervened to stop a dangerous police pursuit that cut through Alstonville and Wollongbar, with locals describing frightening scenes online.

The chase began in Goonellabah around 9.30 yesterday morning as police attempted to pull over a vehicle on Quilty Place and the driver allegedly refused to stop. 

Police said officers abandoned their first attempt to follow the vehicle along Ballina Road because of safety concerns.

But just before 10am, the same car reappeared in Alstonville, already battered and struggling to stay under control.

Residents who later posted to the Alstonville Wollongbar Community Info Board Facebook page described the scene as chaotic. 

Jenna Elliott said she saw a large police response passing through Wollongbar.

“There were at least 10 police cars involved.  The car being chased was very damaged when it drove past me,” she wrote.

Others watched the vehicle tear through the Main Street crossing.

“So fast, so dangerous,” Rusty Bennett said.  “Lucky no one was hit.”

From her dentist’s chair near Main Street, Laura Gill MacKenzie heard sirens before spotting the car surge past with a damaged wheel.

She said items were being thrown from the back seat as police followed closely behind.

The chase caused damage along its path.

Chris Johnston said a wheel from the car flew into her front yard, narrowly missing her son’s vehicle. 

She also saw a median strip and signage near the tennis courts ripped out as the SUV sped towards Wollongbar. 

Another resident, Natasha Garred, said the vehicle even passed through the Alstonville Plaza carpark as it tried to evade the police.

 “So glad they didn’t hit anyone,” she said.

Police attempted a second pursuit from Green Street into Wollongbar but again terminated it due to the risk to the public.

By then, the Honda CR-V’s tyres were falling apart and debris was scattered along the route.

The wanted vehicle made its way back on to the highway and headed towards Goonellabah, weaving around the busy morning traffic.

The drama came to an abrupt end near Lindendale, where the quick thinking truck driver positioned his rig to block the damaged SUV going any further.

Police who were following were quick to arrest a 36-year-old man at the scene who they allege was the driver.

Two passengers ran from the vehicle onto an adjoining property and one was found following a search.

The driver was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, possessing a prohibited drug, destroying or damaging property, driving while disqualified and breaching bail. 

He’s due to face court today. 

One of the passengers, a 15 year old youth, was arrested on outstanding warrants and remanded in custody to appear before the Children’s Court today. 

Police say “inquiries are continuing” with regard to the other passenger who escaped.

For many residents, the morning was frightening, but also showcased the decisive action of the truck driver who brought the chase to a stop. 

As one local wrote after the dust settled, the community is simply grateful no one was hurt.