A THRILLING CHASE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22064, 21 September 1933, Page 10

A THRILLING CHASE

FIGHT ON RUNNING BOARD

CONSTABLE SERIOUSLY HURT

INTENSIVE SEARCH FOR CAR THIEF

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, September 20.

The whole of the Auckland police force are grimly determined to-day to locate the motor thief who early this morning was responsible for serious injuries suffered by Constable Ernest Edward Stewart

The police, about 9 last night, were notified of the theft of a new sedan car, and about midnight, in Grey Lynn, tno constable saw it. Hailing a taxi, he gave chase, drew up alongside, and leapt on to the running board. The driver immediately accelerated, while the constable, gripping the rear door handle, tried to open the door. The handle broke off, but he maintained his footing, and, with the car travelling at high speed, edged along and seized the front door handle. The driver began frantically to punch at the constable, who endeavoured to retaliate. Then a stationary car was seen ahead on the side of road, and it is alleged that the driver of the stolen car deliberately, in a desperate effort to dislodge the constable, swerved his car over the road to the stationary one.

Realising that he might be crushed, the constable tried to flatten' against the side. The car crashed alongside of the other vehicle, tearing both mudguards from It and hurling the constable headlong along the road. The owner of the parked car, who was standing in the doorway of a house, hurried out, to see the stolen car disappearing at high speed and the constable lying on the road. He was taken to hospital with one leg shattered, his right shoulder and hand injured, and his face lacerated. An operation was performed almost immediately and at noon Constable Stewart’s condition was reported to be satisfactory. He has a compound fracture of the right leg.

At the time of the chase he was In mufti. When he boarded the taxi the latter soon overhauled the car, and headed it to the kerb, where it stopped. But when the constable jumped on the running board it quickly backed out and sped off. The taxi followed, doing 45 miles an hour, but could not keep up the pace. To those in the taxi It looked as if the man was doing all ho could to throw the constable from the car. It looked as if a fight were going on, and the car was swerving all over the road. When picked up the constable had been rolled 30 yards along the road, and was covered with blood. His leg appeared to be mangled. He was gasping with pain, but he was given a cigarette, and when the other constable arrived be immediately called on him to take a statement. This was done by the light of a torch, the injured man retaining remarkable control.

The stolen car was found this morning only a quarter of a mile from the scene of the crash, but the driver has so far not been traced. No effort is being spared by the police to locate him.

CONSTABLE STEWARTS INJURIES

(Per Hotted Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, September 20. Constable Stewart, who was injured while attempting to catch a car thief, was still in a serious condition to-night although there wa* a slight improvement. Up to a late hour no arrest had been made.