Officers dragged by speeding car

The vehicle was stopped at a police checkpoint

Two policemen have been injured, one seriously, after being dragged along by a speeding car in County Down.

The incident happened in Newcastle after a vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint, as part of a campaign to crack down on traffic offenders.

Officers stopped a vehicle with four people on board at the Shimna Road, just before 0100 BST on Sunday.

They asked the driver to step out of the car, but he subsequently ran back to the vehicle and sped off, dragging the two police officers with him.

One policeman was thrown clear almost immediately. He sustained leg injuries but was discharged from hospital following treatment.

The second officer was dragged along the road for about 200 yards. He sustained extensive head and facial injuries and remains in hospital.

Arrrested

Chief Superintendent Jonathan McIvor said: "A stinger device was deployed at the scene, and one of the tyres was deflated.

"The driver drove on towards Dundrum and then towards Drumaness at speeds around 90mph."

The vehicle was eventually stopped in Drumaness, after a second stinger was laid across the road puncturing the remaining tyres.

Despite the incident, the police have said it will not deter them in their campaign against offenders.

"These operations will continue throughout the year at different times to detect poor driver behaviour, and to bring those drivers to book," he said.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and is being questioned about the incident.