Three Officers Injured After Lorry Rams Police Vehicle in County Down
Three police officers sustained injuries when a blue articulated lorry was driven at speed on the wrong side of the road and struck their patrol car in County Down late Saturday night, October 17, 2026. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed that the vehicle was extensively damaged during the incident, which began around 11.25pm when officers responded to reports of a lorry swerving on the Moygannon Road in Warrenpoint, as reported by The Irish Post.
Pursuit Across Warrenpoint, Newry, and Rostrevor
The pursuit unfolded after patrol officers located a vehicle matching the description on the Derryleckagh Road in Newry. When police signalled the driver to stop, the lorry failed to pull over and fled at high speed. Chief Inspector Will Brown stated that the driver navigated the wrong side of the road before colliding directly with the police patrol vehicle and continuing toward Rostrevor. The three officers inside sustained injuries that are not believed to be serious at this time.
The pursuit ended in the Water Street area of Rostrevor, where the lorry finally came to a stop. The driver abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot. Officers pursued him through a short foot chase and detained him at the scene.
Arrest and Charges Facing the 36-Year-Old Suspect
Police arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with the late-night incident. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. Authorities have booked him on suspicion of several motoring offences, including driving while disqualified, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and dangerous driving.
Our officers put themselves on the front line to help keep people safe,
Chief Inspector Brown said, according to The Irish Post. Thankfully, no one sustained more serious injuries during this incident, including officers and other road users.
Public Appeal for Witnesses and Dashcam Footage
Investigators are urging anyone who witnessed the erratic driving, the pursuit, or the final apprehension in Rostrevor to come forward. The PSNI specifically requested that motorists check dashcam footage recorded in the Warrenpoint, Newry, and Rostrevor areas on the night of October 17. Anyone with relevant information can contact the police on 101, referencing the incident number 1770 of 17/10/26.
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