Three police officers injured in County Down lorry crash

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 16:27 · Archive

Three police officers were injured in County Down after a lorry being pursued drove on the wrong side of the road and collided with their vehicle.

Three police officers were injured in County Down after a lorry they were pursuing drove on the wrong side of the road and collided with their vehicle at speed. The incident began shortly before 23:30 on Saturday, 17 October, following a report of a blue articulated lorry swerving on Moygannon Road in the Warrenpoint area. Officers located a lorry matching the description on the Derryleckagh Road in Newry.

When signalled to stop, the lorry failed to do so and a short pursuit ensued. The vehicle was driven at speed and on the wrong side of the road before striking the police vehicle. It continued towards Rostrevor before coming to a stop in the Water Street area.

The driver, aged 36, made off on foot but was detained by officers following a short foot chase. He was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving. He remained in custody as enquiries continued.

The police vehicle was extensively damaged. The three officers sustained injuries which were not believed to be serious at the time of the incident. Chief Inspector Will Brown said officers 'put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe', adding that thankfully no one sustained more serious injuries during the incident, including officers and other road users.

How it is being reported

• Three officers injured after lorry on wrong side of road hits police car/News Letter · 18 Oct, 17:46
• Three officers injured after lorry on wrong side of road hits police carBelfast Telegraph · 18 Oct, 16:08
• Three police officers injured during pursuit of intoxicated lorry driverThe lorry was driven at speed and on the wrong side of the road before it struck a police vehicleBelfast Live · 18 Oct, 15:57
• Three officers injured after lorry crashes into police vehicleA 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.BBC Northern Ireland · 18 Oct, 15:57

In this story: County Down · Warrenpoint · Newry · Rostregor · Will Brown

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem