Two Australian policemen injured after driver ran them over

Jakob Thornton was taken to hospital for mandatory blood and alcohol testsing. Photo / TNV

The young driver who severed the foot of one police officer and injured another when he ploughed his car into them while distracted by his mobile phone has a lengthy driving record.

At just 22 years old, Jakob Thornton has already had four court licence suspensions and was banned from driving in 2016 for using his mobile phone while driving, court documents said.

The Ruse man was refused bail on Saturday after he was charged over an incident where he ploughed his Fiat van into two officers at a road side breath test - again allegedly distracted because he was sending a text on his mobile, reports News.com.au.

He was charged with dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, causing bodily harm by misconduct in charge of a motor vehicle, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and using a mobile phone when not permitted.

Court documents said Thornton was travelling at 60km/h and has been looking at his phone for 10 to 20 seconds when he crashed into senior constables Jonathon Wright and Matthew Foley on Campbelltown Rd Leumeah at 8.20pm on Friday night.

Mr Wright's injuries were so severe he had his foot amputated 15cm up his leg, a police fact sheet said.

Mr Foley suffered a fractured leg.

Jakob Thornton has a lengthy driving record. Photo / Instagram

On Saturday, Thornton was refused bail after the court heard he had four prior P2 licence suspensions from January 2014.

Thornton had also received two further demerit point warning letters.

In 2016, the court heard he was banned from driving for a period for using a mobile when driving.

He will appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday.

Speaking outside Liverpool Hospital – where the two officers remain in a stable condition – Commissioner Fuller said the 22-year-old man from Ruse could have killed anyone.

"Whilst it is easy to say that this is some sort of tragedy, it is clearly not," he said.

"These are the actions of a driver that could have taken the life of any community member, but is aggravated by the fact that two officers were out on a Friday night trying to protect the community from this type of driving behaviour. "

Paramedics treat police officer at the scene. Photo / TNV

A critical incident team will investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

"That investigation will be subject to independent review."

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

At the scene were 15 police cars, eight ambulances and a helicopter that landed outside KFC.

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said: "It was a horrific scene. The officers did their job at the scene, but they are now with other officers and colleagues.

"A lot of colleagues have come in off duty to come in and be with our seriously injured colleagues and they are currently getting support.

"Policing is a dangerous job. Our officers go out every night to do dangerous jobs."

NSW Ambulance Inspector Michael Mills said first aid administered at the scene played a big part in saving the officers lives.

Originally published here with permission by Daily Telegraph