Appeal for witnesses after incident on M18

An appeal has been launched for witnesses after two police officers were injured in an incident on the M18 yesterday morning (Sunday 18 April).

At 9.36am, firearms officers on routine patrol located a car which was stopped in a live lane between J1 of the M18 and the M1 link road.

On approaching the car, a grey BMW 3 series, the driver appeared to be unconscious.

Acting Inspector Tom Fisher said: “Officers believed the driver had suffered a medical episode at the wheel and therefore forced entry to the car. At this point, the car suddenly reversed and collided with the parked police vehicle.

“As a result, the two officers were forced into a live lane of traffic, before the vehicle left the scene.”

A short time later, traffic officers located the car again, stationary in a lane at J33 of the M1.

Again, it appeared that the driver had lost consciousness, but awoke on officers’ arrival.

The driver, a 45-year-old man from Doncaster, was arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, assault on an emergency worker and being unfit to drive through drink or drugs. He has since been released under investigation.

The officers involved in the incident suffered minor injuries.

We are urging anyone who saw what happened at either location to please contact us with any information or dashcam footage.

You can call 101 or submit a report online using our new online portal or live chat. 

You can send footage to enquiries@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

Please quote incident number 274 of 18 April when you email or call.