The family of a teenager rescued by police after she was dragged under a car during sectarian riots in North Belfast is to sue the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Phoebe Clawson’s family have lodged a complaint against the PSNI with the Police Ombudsman’s office in Belfast. The 16-year-old suffered a broken collarbone, pelvis and ankle when she was knocked down and trapped under a car in the Ardoyne area on 13 July during riots connected to a banned Orange Order march going past the republican district.
John Aughey has been charged with attempted murder over the incident, which the 61-year-old denies.
Within seconds of the car being driven into a group of bystanders including Clawson police officers rushed to the scene to rescue the girl. The PSNI officers alongside locals tipped the car up onto its side and policemen were able to administer first aid before an ambulance arrived even while rioting continued nearby at Twaddell Avenue.
They were also able to arrest Aughey before nationalists closed in on him in a highly charged atmosphere on the Crumlin Road.
The Clawson family have since complained about the PSNI’s decision to keep traffic on the road during the disorder at Twaddell Avenue and nearby Woodwave Road.
In the family statement, which does not mention the PSNI in terms of the rescue operation, they state: “We recognise that were it not for the swift actions of these persons we could be facing a far more tragic outcome.”
The statement, released through their solicitor, added: “The Police Ombudsman is currently investigating the circumstances of this incident and our office has been in contact with them on behalf of the family, in relation to the circumstances of the attack on Phoebe.”
