OFFICER STRUCK BY CAR

A POLICE officer is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle while standing outside his own police car in Mount Duneed.

The 56-year-old sergeant was standing next to his stationary marked police car on the Surf Coast Highway yesterday when a blue sedan struck him about 1pm.

Police have revealed officers had been tracking the blue sedan shortly before the crash after it was involved in an earlier incident in Melbourne’s western suburbs.

The driver of the vehicle, a 21-year-old Melton West man, was last night under police guard at Geelong hospital in a stable condition.

Superintendent Craig Gillard said the officer sustained leg injuries and was receiving treatment at Geelong hospital.

He said the sergeant was attempting to deploy stop sticks when the other vehicle struck him at high speed.

“It wasn’t a pursuit. We were endeavouring to locate the person for what we believed were some mental health needs,” he said.

Supt Gillard said he was on the scene within minutes and described it as an “incredibly difficult” incident for officers to attend.

“It’s very hard to describe watching one of your own colleagues and members laying severely injured,” he said.

“But while we do see that, we’re trained to go about our job and provide what care we can to any of the parties involved. That said, it’s incredibly impactful on our members.

“We have members who actually witnessed the impact and, I’ve got to be honest, they’re doing it tough.”

Following the incident, the Surf Coast Highway was blocked off in both directions with a highly visible police presence — including uniform officers, highway patrol members and plain clothed detectives — on site.

The two cars involved in the crash were cordoned off by police, and the sedan had significant front-end damage while the police car had passenger-side damage.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed or has footage of the incident to come forward. A report can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.