Three police officers injured after lorry strikes patrol car during pursuit in County Down

Three police officers have been injured after an articulated lorry struck their patrol vehicle during a late-night pursuit in County Down.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Sunday 18 October that a 36-year-old man had been arrested following the incident, which began in the Warrenpoint area shortly before midnight on Saturday.

Police said the lorry was driven at speed and on the wrong side of the road before colliding with a police vehicle and continuing towards Rostrevor.

The three officers sustained injuries which are not believed to be serious, while their patrol car was extensively damaged.

Police respond to reports of lorry swerving on road

Chief Inspector Will Brown said police received a report at approximately 11.25pm on Saturday 17 October concerning a blue articulated lorry swerving on Moygannon Road in the Warrenpoint area.

Officers responding to the report subsequently located a lorry matching the description on Derryleckagh Road in Newry.

When police signalled for the vehicle to stop, the driver failed to comply and a short pursuit followed.

During the pursuit, the lorry was allegedly driven at speed and on the wrong side of the road.

Police said the vehicle then struck a patrol car before continuing towards Rostrevor.

Three officers injured in collision

The police vehicle sustained extensive damage during the collision.

Three officers who were inside the patrol car suffered injuries, although police said none was believed to be seriously hurt.

The lorry subsequently came to a stop in the Water Street area of Rostrevor.

Police said the driver left the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot.

Officers pursued the man and detained him following a short foot chase.

Man arrested following pursuit

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of several motoring offences.

These include driving while disqualified, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and dangerous driving.

Police confirmed that the man remained in custody at the time of their announcement on Sunday.

No charges have been announced.

Chief Inspector Brown welcomed the fact that neither the officers nor other road users had sustained more serious injuries.

PSNI appeals for dashcam footage

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and collision.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the movements of the blue articulated lorry on Saturday night to come forward.

They are particularly interested in dashcam footage which may have captured the vehicle travelling through the Warrenpoint, Newry or Rostrevor areas.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference 1770 of 17 October 2026.

Information can also be submitted through the PSNI’s online witness appeal service or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

External link: PSNI online witness appeals

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