A man remained in hospital under guard on Thursday after he allegedly hit a police officer with a trail bike on a busy stretch of road at Maitland on Wednesday night.
The 36-year-old male senior constable was yesterday morning being assessed for possible surgery, after he suffered a broken wrist and nose, lacerations and concussion during the ordeal, which began with a police pursuit.
It began when officers spotted an unregistered trail bike on the New England Highway about 7pm on Wednesday.
But when the police vehicle's lights and sirens failed to convince the 19-year-old rider to stop, the officers gave chase.
The 36-year-old senior constable was outside the police vehicle and on foot on High Street near Maitland Hospital soon after, when the trail bike struck him.
The rider was ejected from the bike, which skidded underneath a Mitsubishi Pajero traveling north on the highway.
The injured officer was treated at the scene before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The trail bike rider was also taken to John Hunter Hospital with leg, pelvis and head injuries - he remained there on Thursday.
The Newcastle Herald understands charges are expected to be pressed against the 19-year-old rider, but senior police believed that was unlikely to occur before Thursday night given the man remained in hospital.
The Newcastle Crash Investigation Unit is looking into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District crime manager Detective Acting Inspector Ranald Urquhart told reporters at Raymond terrace Police Station on Thursday afternoon that the pursuit had only been taking place for "a couple of minutes" before the officer was struck.
"I think it's disgusting," he said. "If the police require you to pull over, you should pull over."
Police Association of NSW Northern Region spokesperson Ian Allwood told the Newcastle Herald the union would support the officer and his family during the recovery.
"Events like this highlight the dangers our members are confronted with every time they work and serve our community," he said.
Police are calling for anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
