Police to question driver who hit officer
POLICE were expected to interview a 21-year-old Melton West man yesterday over a crash that injured a Geelong police officer.
The 56-year-old sergeant was standing next to a stationary marked police car on the Surf Coast Highway on Tuesday when a blue sedan struck him about 1pm.
The sergeant was in a stable condition at Geelong hospital yesterday with a broken foot, broken finger and grazing.
The driver, who was under police guard at Geelong hospital, was expected to be inter- viewed yesterday.
Police said officers had been tracking the sedan before the crash after it was involved in an earlier incident in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Superintendent Craig Gillard said the sergeant was attempting to deploy stop sticks when the sedan 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 impressive, inspirational on our members. We have members who actually witnessed the impact and, I’ve got to be honest, they’re doing it tough.”
Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.