Officer ‘sent flying’
Allegedly hit by stolen motorbike
THE state’s police union has condemned the latest incident of alleged violence against the force in which a policeman was struck at high speed by a stolen motorbike.
The officer was hospitalised after the incident at Clarendon Vale on Thursday afternoon, which happened when he tried to intercept the motorcycle which was carrying two people.
The officer yesterday remained in the Royal Hobart Hospital being treated for his injuries.
Detective Inspector Doug Rossiter said the officer was sent “flying into the air” and that it was fortunate he did not sustain more serious injuries.
“A police officer being hit at high speed by a motorcycle is really, really serious and it could have been a lot worse,’’ he said.
“Thankfully his injuries don’t appear to be that serious, no broken bones, but we are still determining the full extent of his injuries.”
The Police Association of Tasmania decried the ongoing violence against police officers.
“People who don’t want to be apprehended are going to greater and greater risks – to themselves and police officers – to avoid arrest,” the union’s assistant secretary Andrew Bennett said.
“This is why the association supports mandatory sentencing for assaults against police officers.”
Insp Rossiter said the motorcycle was stolen from a car park in Elizabeth St, Hobart, and was seen speeding across the Tasman Bridge just after 5pm on Thursday.
He said a number of police resources were deployed to find the motorcycle, which was seen at Clarendon Vale.
A police roadblock was put in place on Goodwins Rd, which is where the incident happened.
“The motorbike evaded the officer there and attempted to go around the side of the police vehicle,’’ he said.
“The police officer attempted to get out of the way of the motorbike but was unfortunately struck by it and sent the police officer flying into the air.”
Insp Rossiter said the motorcycle rider and pillion passenger ran from the scene but were found in a nearby paddock a short time later and arrested.
Detectives yesterday charged a Bridgewater man, 22, with aggravated assault, evade police, motor vehicle stealing, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.
The man was expected to appear in court last night.
A Gagebrook man, 27, who police allege was the pillion passenger on the motorcycle, yesterday remained in police custody as investigations continued.
Anyone with information about, or who has footage of, the crash should contact police.
THE dam supplying water to Flinders Island residents will be emptied so work can begin to more than double its storage capacity.
From today, water restrictions will be elevated to stage two while water is emptied from Henderson Dam.
The island has been subject to stage one water restrictions due to low rainfall and dry conditions. Once emptied, construction work on the dam will begin to more than double its storage capacity from 40 megalitres to 85 megalitres.