Teens face murder charges if officer loses fight for life

A YOUNG policeman is fighting for life after a high-speed hit-and-run involving teens driving a stolen car.

Police say Constable Peter McAulay, 24, was struck by the car about 5am yesterday, and dragged for more than 10m on Brisbane Rd at Booval in Ipswich, west of Brisbane.

Const McAulay remained in a critical conidition in an induced coma last night after emergency surgery in Princess Alexandra Hospital.

A youth, 16, and girl, 15, tried to run from the scene but were caught by a police dog and his handler soon after. Both been charged with one count each of attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and are expected to appear in court today.

It’s the second time an alleged stolen vehicle has led to a police officer being critically injured in the past three weeks.

Const McAulay was struck by the vehicle and dragged at least 10m, sustaining serious head and internal injuries and multiple broken bones.

Acting Superintendent Melissa Adams said it was difficult to hear one of her colleagues had been seriously injured.

“We are a very close-knit policing district. We look after ourselves and our thoughts are with this officer and his family,” she said. “And we ask people to say a prayer for him.”

Constable McAulay was sworn into the police service in 2014 and worked in Toowoomba. Most recently he was working at Goodna police station.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said Const McAulay was in the “fight of his life”.

He said the general duties officer was a well-respected member of the service who loved his job.

“He was actually on his way into Ipswich to do something else and obviously he took action to prevent crime and apprehend people and here he is now in the fight of his life,” he said.

“The next 24 hours he has a fight which we just pray he gets through.”