Police have confirmed the man struck by a lorry in south Armagh this afternoon was an on duty police officer.
The constable was part of a Local Policing Team carrying out follow up enquiries linked to the overnight theft of an ATM in the Newry area.
Superintendent Simon Walls said: “Police were travelling along the Mullaghduff Road, Cullyhanna earlier today when they encountered a suspicious lorry transporting a car.
“As one of the officers exited the police vehicle to speak to the driver, the lorry was driven at speed directly at the officer, striking him and pinning him between the lorry and a police patrol vehicle.
“The lorry then fled the scene. The officer’s colleagues rushed to help him, providing emergency first aid. The PSNI helicopter was then used to transport the officer to hospital in Belfast.
“The constable is still undergoing medical assessment however we understand that while his injuries are serious, at this stage, they are not thought to be life threatening.
“I am sure the local community in south Armagh will join us in condemning this callous incident and in wishing him a speedy and complete recovery.
“From the accounts of those at the scene, this appears to have been a deliberate act and as such we will be treating this incident as the attempted murder of a police officer.
“We are keen to locate the driver and the lorry involved, described as low loader with a white cab, a yellow bumper, a red low loader body and carrying a white or silver vehicle.
“Anyone who can assist the police investigation in any way is asked to contact Newry Reactive and Organised crime detectives by calling 101. If someone would prefer to provide information about this incident anonymously, they can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon has condemned those behind the hit and run attack.
“I utterly condemn this horrific assault,” she said.
“This was a horrendous attack and there can be no justification for it.
“I wish the officer in question a full and speedy recovery and would call on anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the PSNI.”
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