Police vehicles ‘substantially damaged’ after being rammed by tractor
Three police vehicles were substantially damaged during a “reckless and cowardly” incident in Northern Ireland in the early hours of Saturday (September 24).
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said officers investigating a report of a drink-driver in Fivemiletown attended an address in the Tattenabuddagh Lane area just after midnight as part of their inquiries.
“While at the address, a man in his twenties tried to evade police in a tractor,” said the PSNI.
“He rammed three police vehicles causing extensive damage to all three vehicles. Attending officers narrowly avoided injury in the incident.”
The driver, aged 25, was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and remains in custody.
PSNI Detective Inspector Snoddy said: “This was a reckless and cowardly incident which has left three of our police vehicles off the road which affects our service delivery in the Mid Ulster area.
“There is also the impact in terms of our officers’ welfare, as well as the cost of repairs to the vehicle.
“If it were not for our officers taking evasive action to avoid the oncoming tractor, I have no doubt that officers would have been seriously injured or killed.”