Full Breakdown
Lorry Chase Injures Three PSNI Officers in County Down
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident overview
On a Saturday night around 11:25 pm, police in County Down responded to reports of a blue articulated lorry swerving on Moygannon Road in the Warrenpoint area. Officers located a vehicle matching that description on Derryleckagh Road in Newry. When signalled to stop, the driver continued at speed on the wrong side of the road, struck a police patrol car and kept moving toward Rostrevor. The police vehicle was “extensively damaged,” and three Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers inside sustained injuries that are not believed to be serious. The lorry later stopped in the Water Street area of Rostrevor, where the driver fled on foot and was apprehended after a short foot chase.
Police response and arrest
The driver, a 36-year-old man, was taken into custody and is being held on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving. Enquiries remain ongoing.
Official statements
Verbatim quotes
- “The lorry later came to a stop in the Water Street area of Rostrevor where the driver, aged 36, made off on foot but was detained by officers following a short foot chase.” — Rostrevor. Brown, chief
- “Our officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe,” — Chief Inspector Brown
Data summary
- Officers injured: three (injuries not serious).
- Police vehicle: extensively damaged.
- Driver’s age: 36.
- Charges: suspected driving while unfit through drink or drugs, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving.
The incident underscores the risks PSNI officers face during high-speed pursuits and the importance of rapid response to dangerous driving on Northern Ireland’s roads.