Suspected drug dealer hobbles away after 90mph ‘stolen’ BMW being chased by cops flips and lands on pedestrian footbridge ON ITS ROOF
A suspected drug dealer managed to hobble away from the wreckage of a stolen BMW X5 which landed on a motorway footbridge ON ITS ROOF following a 90mph police chase. The car, said to have been stolen in Salford[1], is believed to have hit a kerb and then flown through the air before landing on a pedestrian footbridge at junction 19 of the M6O at Middleton[2]. The suspect miraculously managed to hobble out of the wreckage and was arrested later.
Now police have released brief details of the drama and a picture of the badly damaged BMW. BLACK FRIDAY OFFER: Get three months of MEN Premium for FREE with our amazing Black Friday deal. Just click here[3] to give it a go.
Sources have told the M.E.N. that, if the car had landed just a few metres on either side, the BMW would have plummeted onto the M60[4] below. Nobody else was hurt in the drama. The drama happened during the early hours of Friday following a brief pursuit by officers from GMP's crack Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU).
Whilst on patrol in north Manchester, officers came across a vehicle 'travelling at excessively high speeds'. After failing to stop for police, specially trained drivers from TVIU began a pursuit, according to GMP. The pursuit came to an end when the BMW X5 collided with a crash barrier on the M60, travelling at almost 90mph, resulting in the vehicle rolling through the air and landing on its roof.
Police searched the vehicle, finding large quantities of class A drugs and a knife, and vehicle checks showed the car to be stolen, say police.
A BMW X5 on its roof on a pedestrian footbridge at junction 19 of the M60 at Middleton, Greaster ManchesterThe driver was taken to hospital but has since been discharged. A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession with intent to supply and possession of an offensive weapon and remains in police custody, said a spokeswoman for GMP. Sergeant Nasim from GMP's Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit said: "Highly trained drivers from our unit are across Greater Manchester day and night, with the sole purpose of disrupting organised crime and keeping our streets safe.
"This weekend we noticed the vehicle driving erratically through Manchester, hitting speeds of over 90mph, which could have had devastating consequences. Thankfully, no members of the public were injured, and I am pleased to say that my officers are safe too. "Burglary remains a top priority for the force and resources across GMP continue to work tirelessly to apprehend offenders who commit these intrusive crimes.
"We would like drivers to think about making it harder for criminals to steal their belongings by taking the time to read through some of our crime prevention advice as some simple tips can make a big difference, especially if you have keyless entry." GMP is encouraging owners to take a few minutes to review keys tips on how to keep your vehicle safe by clicking this link: Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)[5] Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here[6] for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
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