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Arrest over police murder attempt Arrest over police murder attempt
(30 minutes later)
A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer who was hit by a van after trying to question the driver.A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attempted murder of a police officer who was hit by a van after trying to question the driver.
North Wales Police said the officer tried to question a driver on suspicion of failing to stop.North Wales Police said the officer tried to question a driver on suspicion of failing to stop.
The officer was hit as the driver allegedly tried to move away at about 0730 GMT in Hawarden, Flintshire. The officer was hit as the driver allegedly tried to move away just after 0730 GMT in Hawarden, Flintshire.
A man was arrested moments later. The officer was checked by paramedics and received minor injuries. An eyewitness said she was convinced the officer could have been killed, but he escaped with only minor injuries.
A force spokeswoman said: "Shortly after 7.30am today the officer was attempting to speak to the driver of a van which had initially failed to stop on The Highway in Hawarden. I think the policeman concerned deserves a commendation for bravery... he was extremely brave Hilary McGuill, witness A force spokeswoman said: "Shortly after 7.30am today the officer was attempting to speak to the driver of a van which had initially failed to stop on The Highway in Hawarden.
"As the officer challenged the driver, the driver made off from the scene in the van and collided with the officer."As the officer challenged the driver, the driver made off from the scene in the van and collided with the officer.
A van was taken away from the scene for examination
"Moments later the driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been taken to custody where he is awaiting questioning.""Moments later the driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been taken to custody where he is awaiting questioning."
Police said the road remained closed and they are appealing for witnesses. The Renault van has been loaded onto the back of trailer and driven off, while the road has reopened.
A local shop worker said he had spoken to an eyewitness, who works with him. Police had appealed for witnesses.
"It appeared to be some kind of coordinated thing - the police seemed to know the guy and planned to stop him at the junction. But he went on the other side of the road and hit a policeman and carried him down the road on his bonnet. The windscreen is cracked." Local postmistress and county councillor Hilary McGuill said she was first alerted to the incident when she heard a siren.
The Renault van has been loaded onto the back of trailer and driven off. "The next thing I saw was a white van with a body on the front with a yellow jacket or vest on," she said.The van which North Wales Police say hit an officer in Hawarden
"I thought it was a workman at first. The van was accelerating at speed heading towards Broughton."
She ran into her post office and general store and dialled 999.
"I came back out and I realised that a car parked outside was an unmarked police car.
"Other police cars arrived. They were on the scene within a couple of minutes."
She said she was convinced the officer would have been killed.
But after hearing he suffered only minor injuries she said: "I think the policeman concerned deserves a commendation for bravery".
"He was trying to stop the vehicle. He was extremely brave to do that."