Police officer injured after being dragged by vehicle during traffic stop

A 24-year-old man has been arrested following a serious incident in which a police officer was dragged by a vehicle during a routine traffic stop on Sunday 22 June.

The event unfolded shortly after 11am on Beltany Road, Omagh, when the officer, suspecting the driver may have been under the influence, initiated a traffic stop and began to prepare for a preliminary breath test.

Chief Inspector Graham Dodds explained:

“The officer stopped a vehicle on the Beltany Road shortly after 11am. Believing the driver may be under the influence, they prepared to conduct a preliminary breath test (PBT) however when informed of this, the driver took off at speed dragging the police officer along with his vehicle for several metres before the officer was able to free himself. The driver continued to flee the scene.”

The officer suffered multiple fractures to his foot as well as cuts and bruises during the incident. He is expected to be off duty for several weeks while recovering from his injuries.

“This was a very dangerous situation which could have had a much, much more dire outcome. Police officers do not go to work expecting to be injured or attacked. No one should,” Chief Inspector Dodds added.

Following the incident, both the driver and the vehicle were located in Kesh after the car ran out of fuel. The 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of several offences, including:

• Driving with excess alcohol

• Dangerous driving

• Assault on police

He remains in police custody as of Monday morning.

Police are also appealing for a member of the public who stopped at the scene to assist the injured officer to come forward.

“I would ask the member of the public who stopped at the scene to offer assistance to the injured officer at the time to please get in touch with us as we would very much like to speak with you.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police on 101, quoting the date and location of the incident.