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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/30/policeman-unimpales-himself-to-continue-chase-and-catch-suspect
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| Police officer impaled on fence frees himself to catch suspect | Police officer impaled on fence frees himself to catch suspect |
| (2 days later) | |
| A police officer who became impaled on a fence spike while chasing a suspected motorbike thief arrested the man after pulling himself free. | A police officer who became impaled on a fence spike while chasing a suspected motorbike thief arrested the man after pulling himself free. |
| PC Dan Thomas collapsed from “significant blood loss” after he and his police dog Gil found the 22-year-old hiding in a bush, West Midlands police said. | PC Dan Thomas collapsed from “significant blood loss” after he and his police dog Gil found the 22-year-old hiding in a bush, West Midlands police said. |
| He required 15 stitches to a wound in his bicep after being taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday. Thomas, who is now recovering at home, said: “I knew Gil was on to the suspect. I could see the blood pouring down my arm but was determined we had to keep on the scent and catch him. | He required 15 stitches to a wound in his bicep after being taken to hospital in the early hours of Saturday. Thomas, who is now recovering at home, said: “I knew Gil was on to the suspect. I could see the blood pouring down my arm but was determined we had to keep on the scent and catch him. |
| “It was a good result in the end with two in custody – and we also recovered a stolen car that we believe the offenders arrived in. | “It was a good result in the end with two in custody – and we also recovered a stolen car that we believe the offenders arrived in. |
| “I’ve read a lot of kind words of support from members of the public. It’s very heart-warming and I really do appreciate all their best wishes.” | “I’ve read a lot of kind words of support from members of the public. It’s very heart-warming and I really do appreciate all their best wishes.” |
| Thomas, a police officer with West Midlands for 16 years, chased the man with his alsatian after other officers had arrested a 16-year-old boy in the Walmley area of Sutton Coldfield. | Thomas, a police officer with West Midlands for 16 years, chased the man with his alsatian after other officers had arrested a 16-year-old boy in the Walmley area of Sutton Coldfield. |
| A police spokesman said: “Gil indicated their target had clambered over an 8ft-high spiked fence. | A police spokesman said: “Gil indicated their target had clambered over an 8ft-high spiked fence. |
| “But as Dan lifted the dog over and jumped down, his jacket snagged and sent a spike tearing into his biceps. | |
| “Despite the wound … and with blood pouring down his arm, Dan continued tracking with Gil and, shortly after, found a 22-year-old man hiding in bushes.” | “Despite the wound … and with blood pouring down his arm, Dan continued tracking with Gil and, shortly after, found a 22-year-old man hiding in bushes.” |
| Both males were arrested on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft, the spokesman added. | Both males were arrested on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft, the spokesman added. |
| Thomas said: “The officers quickly found me and applied a tourniquet to prevent further blood loss. | Thomas said: “The officers quickly found me and applied a tourniquet to prevent further blood loss. |
| “[The paramedics and doctors] said I was lucky and that with such a serious wound I could have suffered a very serious arterial bleed.” | “[The paramedics and doctors] said I was lucky and that with such a serious wound I could have suffered a very serious arterial bleed.” |