Police officer accidentally runs colleague over in van while chasing suspect

'Officers put themselves in difficult situations to keep our streets safe, and sadly, on this occasion, it has ended with one of our officers in hospital,' says force detective

A police officer chasing a suspect has been run over – by a colleague in a police van.

The unnamed officer was smashed into by the vehicle after he stumbled while giving pursuit in Salford.

Footage posted online showed him going under the van, which he had got out of only seconds earlier to give chase. He was left with serious leg injuries after the incident at 3pm on Thursday.

Detectives at Greater Manchester Police said it showed how officers put life and limb on the line in the course of their duties.

“Officers put themselves in difficult situations to keep our streets safe on a daily basis, and sadly on this occasion it has ended with one of our officers in hospital,” Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Delamore, of GMP, told the Manchester Evening News. “My thoughts are with the officer, we wish him a speedy recovery and hope to have him back protecting us all as soon as possible.”

A force spokesman would not say if the man they gave chase to was wanted in connection with any crime or if he was ever caught.

However, in a statement, they said: “At around 3pm on Thursday 16 August police searching for a wanted man were on Leicester Road in Higher Broughton, Salford.

“During the search a man attempted to run away from police. One of the officers gave chase but was unfortunately then involved in a collision with a police van.

“He has been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries to his legs. A 29-year-old man was arrested on prison recall.”

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 3.03pm.

“We sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle to the scene. The patient was taken to North Manchester General Hospital with leg injuries.”