Hit-run victim PC can’t even recognise his wife
A POLICE officer suffered a fractured skull and a severe bleed on the brain after he was deliberately mown down in a “heinous hit and run”, it was revealed yesterday.
PC Chris Burnham, 48, was so badly injured his colleagues thought he was about to die, a senior officer said.
Despite regaining consciousness PC Burnham, is still seriously ill and cannot recognise his wife or help detectives to track down the fugitive driver.
He also suffered a shattered knee when he was knocked down by a Mini in Radford, Coventry, around 2.45pm on Wednesday. The car was abandoned nearby and forensic experts are examining it for clues.
West Midlands Police officer Burnham was the third officer to be injured during vehicle stops in fewer than 48 hours.
Devastating
Two Sussex officers were badly hurt when they were allegedly rammed by a stolen Mercedes in Littlehampton, West Sussex, on Tuesday.
Last month, Thames Valley PC Andrew Harper was dragged to his death by a vehicle in Sulhamstead, Berkshire, while investigating an alleged burglary.
Days earlier, a West Midlands officer was knocked down by the driver of a stolen vehicle in Moseley, Birmingham. He suffered serious head and pelvic injuries.
Chief Superintendent Mike O’Hara, of West Midlands Police, said PC Burnham probably spotted a driver he recognised and wished to pull him over.
“He is pretty good at recognising faces and identifying people,” Mr O’Hara said. “He approached the driver of the vehicle and we believe he was deliberately run over.
“The driver knows what he has done. We ask him to hand himself in. If he doesn’t, we’ll find him. His colleagues are shocked and angry. The Bobbies who were with him thought he would die at the scene.
“Risks to police officers doing their duty are getting greater by the day.”
PC Burnham’s wife went to see him but he has so far not recognised her, Mr O’Hara said.
He added: “He is not very well at all. He has a fractured skull, quite a severe bleed on the brain and a
shattered knee. It’s too early to say if he can return to the service.
“He is receiving 24-hour care and can’t eat or drink. He faces a long road to recovery.”
PC Burnham, who has a 10-yearold son, joined the West Midlands force 25 years ago after serving as a special constable inWarwickshire.
Police confirmed CCTV footage is being examined as part of the hunt
for the driver. David Jamieson,West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This incident is shocking, outrageous and truly devastating. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
“For one of our officers to be injured in the line of duty is completely unacceptable and I hope that the offender is swiftly found and bought to justice.”