A police officer has been seriously injured after being struck by a stolen Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) vehicle. The incident unfolded as officers attempted to intercept the car, which had been reported stolen. During the confrontation, it has been confirmed that an officer discharged a firearm.
The injured officer was attending to an incident involving the stolen vehicle when they were hit. Emergency services were called to the scene, and the officer was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. Further details regarding the nature and extent of their injuries have not yet been fully released, but they are understood to be serious.
The stolen vehicle was a marked PSNI car, adding a layer of concern regarding the security of police assets. Investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the theft of the vehicle and the subsequent incident are now underway. This will include examining the sequence of events leading up to the officer being struck and the discharge of the firearm.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. Such occurrences are rare, and the PSNI will be keen to understand how a marked police vehicle came to be stolen and subsequently involved in such a serious incident. The focus remains on supporting the injured officer and ensuring a thorough investigation.