A man has been charged after an officer was struck by a trail bike during a pursuit in the Hunter region earlier this year.
Just before 7pm on Wednesday 14 April 2021, officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District initiated a pursuit with the trail bike on the New England Highway at Maitland.
A short time later, a senior constable who had exited a police vehicle was on foot near High Street, when the trail bike struck him.
The rider was ejected, however, the motorcycle continued and hit a Mitsubishi Pajero travelling north on the New England Highway.
The injured officer, a 36-year-old male senior constable, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Hunter Hospital where he remains for treatment of a wrist fracture, arm laceration and possible broken nose.
The trail bike rider, a 19-year-old man, was taken to the same hospital and treated for head, leg and pelvis injuries.
Officers from Crash Investigations Unit (CIU) commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Following inquiries, the 19-year-old man was arrested after attending Maitland Police Station about 9.15am today (Monday 28 June 2021).
He was charged with 28 traffic related offences including aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – escaping pursuit, and dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm – drive manner dangerous.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 18 August 2021.^