Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
A Police officer is in Auckland Hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a fleeing driver in Auckland last night.
At around 11pm, Police were responding to a burglary at a commercial premises on Great North Road in New Lynn.
Police spotted a suspect vehicle on Great North Road and signalled for it to stop. It failed to do so and no pursuit was initiated.
An officer has deployed road spikes on the corner of Fruitvale and Great North Roads in attempt to stop the car when the fleeing vehicle has struck the officer.
Despite having hit a Police officer, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene and then crashed a short distance later.
An unknown number of occupants in the vehicle have all fled the scene on foot and at this stage not been identified or located.
As mentioned, the officer is in a serious but stable condition in Auckland Hospital and is expected to undergo surgery today.
Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan says ensuring the officer is supported throughout his recovery is our priority.
“Police will also be ensuring welfare is available for the officer’s colleague who provided immediate first aid. This incident would have been incredibly traumatic for both of them and it’s just unacceptable that we are even in this position today”.
“This type of behaviour is deeply concerning and just shows the danger and risk that our officers face every day. They have families that they leave every day to come to work and they deserve to go home safely at the end of the day.”
Our investigation team is working fast to identify those involved and hold them accountable for their actions.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Shelley Nahr/NZ Police
