A patrol car crashed into two parked vehicles in Maroubra. Two officers, a male and a female, were injured and had to be taken to hospital – they were responding to a call in Coogee.
The incident occurred just after 12:30 am 22 October 2023 when emergency services were called to Maroubra Rd, Maroubra, after reports of a police vehicle involved in an accident. Upon arrival, responders found a marked police car on its side, and two officers, a male constable and a female probationary constable, in need of medical attention. The officers who were from the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command were en route to a call in Coogee.
CCTV footage captured the marked police truck racing down Maroubra Road before clipping two parked cars, one being a Mercedes Sedan, and the other a two-week-old Land Rover. The collision caused significant damage to the patrol car, leading it to flip onto its side.
The two officers were temporarily trapped inside but were eventually extricated from the vehicle and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Thankfully, no one else was hurt in the incident.
This is the second such incident this year, with a similar accident occurring in Prestons back in May. Officers within the police force have long criticised the safety and drivability of caged police trucks, and this recent crash has amplified these concerns. Some senior officers argue that these vehicles have a tendency to rollover during high-speed emergency calls, jeopardising both officers and the public.
In response to this incident, the police are calling on the public to provide any dashcam footage that may have captured the incident. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
Published 26-October-2023