Hero cop caught suspect after he escaped from this...
Trainee officer gave chase after dragging himself from wreckage
AN injured trainee policeman dragged himself from the wreckage of a mangled car before chasing down a suspect following a crash.
Two officers were taken to hospital – one with serious injuries – after their liveried BMW collided with a stolen Mini before plunging down a ditch in Pendleton, Salford, on Friday night.
The green Mini Countryman was spotted by patrols at around 9.30pm.
It had been reported stolen and was being driven on false plates.
When police tried to stop the car, the driver made off and a chase unfolded.
During the pursuit, the Mini was driven the wrong way around Pendleton Island and onto Broad Street before crashing into a second police car.
Photos from the scene off the A576 Eccles Old Road show the smashedup BMW – the front end is severely damaged, the windscreen shattered and both air bags deployed.
The wrecked Mini was abandoned by its driver, who ran off.
It is understood the passenger in the police vehicle – a student officer – gave chase despite his whiplash injuries.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary nearby.
He has since been further arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving with no insurance, driving without a licence and aggravated taking without consent. He remains in custody for questioning.
GMP confirmed both officers were taken to hospital and have since been released. The police driver suffered a broken arm.
Sgt Brian Orr, of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Last night one of our student officers assisted in the arrest a man following a collision involving a stolen Mini Countryman that was driving in the wrong direction on a slip road and a police car.
“Understandably people may be concerned when they see the images of the damaged police car following the collision; however the officer who was driving and his passenger are thankfully expected to make a full recovery.
“I want to appeal to anyone who may have information about the collision to please contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit or Crimestoppers.”
Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 3036 of February 14, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.