An officer is “lucky to be alive” after he was mown down by car in a hit-and-run in north east London, police said today.
The officer, aged in his 30s, was seriously injured by a car that failed to stop in Woodford Green just after midnight on Monday, Met Police said.
Detective Sergeant Jose-Paulo Qureshi said: “The officer was simply doing his duty when he was struck by the vehicle and was seriously injured – he’s lucky not to have been killed.
“The suspects fled the scene, despite knowing they had hit an officer, leaving him seriously injured in the road.”
Police said officers had indicated for a grey Mini Cooper to stop in Chigwell Hill, near Saint Barnabus Road, and began a pursuit when it failed to stop.
Officers waited for the vehicle at Chigwell Road near Gaynes Hill Road and the M11 overpass.
As it approached one officer attempted to deploy a stinger but was struck by the car, police said.
The force added that the vehicle, which had false ‘67’ year plates, then sped away from the scene. It was located just before 1am abandoned at Woolhampton Way in Chigwell.
A police officer was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
Police said they are still trying to trace the driver.
Mr Qureshi added: “We are working around the clock to find the people responsible. I would appeal to those who were involved to do the right thing and hand yourself in.”
Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to call the Incident Room on 020 8597 4874, police on 101 quoting CAD 0043/6JAN or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
