Radio saves policeman dragged along by car

A policeman who was dragged along a road at up to 50km/h was saved from more serious injury by the heavy casing on his radio.

The Henderson constable was leaning through a window of a car he had stopped after a chase when the driver sped off. The policeman was dragged about 50m along the road.

When he fell free, his trousers were shredded from the knee down.

He had cuts and bruising to his lips, shoulders, hands and knees but it is believed his radio in its heavy casing acted as a barrier between his body and the road, preventing more serious injury.

Police starting chasing the car after recognising it as being one of two allegedly involved in an accident in Massey earlier in the day.

Spokesman Kevin Loughlin said police had received calls about the occupants of the Subaru and a Honda Integra in Massey yesterday morning.

By midday the cars were allegedly involved in a crash in which a third car was hit at high speed. Both cars sped off. The damaged Honda was chased by police but the car was dumped in a park and the four occupants ran off. About half an hour later the Subaru was seen and chased by police from Massey to Henderson.

In Railside Ave the Subaru rammed into a police car. As the driver tried "wheel spinning" to move the damaged car the officer leaned in the window and was then dragged.

The vehicle was later found in Massey, and the driver is to appear in the Waitakere District Court today.

The injured policeman was treated at Waitakere Hospital and is recovering at home.