A Birmingham police officer who was impaled on a fence during a high-speed chase ripped his own arm free before continuing with the pursuit.
Dog handler PC Dan Thomas and his German shepherd PD Gil were called to the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham to attend two men allegedly stealing motorbikes in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A 16-year-old was arrested at the scene but a second suspect got away, meaning PC Thomas and Gil found themselves in hot pursuit of the assailant.
PC Dan Thomas impaled his arm on a fence as he was chasing a 22-year-old man who allegedly trying to steal a motorbike. When he tried to run, PC Thomas and his dog Gil found themselves in hot pursuit (pictured with his former police dog Janus)
The German shepherd indicated that the suspect had climbed an eight-foot fence in a frantic bid to get away but after heaving Gil over the fence and jumping down, the PC Dan’s jacket snagged, causing a spike to tear through his bicep.
Not allowing this to stop him in his pursuit of justice, PC Thomas ripped his arm away from the fence and carried on with the high speed chase.
Despite the massive injury- which later required surgery and 15 stitches- PC Thomas continued the pursuit with blood pouring down his arm and with Gil hot on the trail.
A 22-year-old was found hiding in a bush and arrested on suspicion of attempted vehicle theft moments before Dan collapsed due to the significant blood loss.
After lifting Gil over the fence, his jacket snagged and a spike tore through his bicep. The wound required surgery and needed 15 stitches but PC Thomas is now recovering from his injury at home (pictured) and hopes to be back on duty as soon as possible
If it hadn’t been for his colleagues who were on hand within minutes to deliver vital first aid, PC Thomas could have faced an arterial bleed.
PC Thomas, who has been in the force for 16 years, said: ‘I was tracking alone with Gil but the officers quickly found me and applied a tourniquet to prevent further blood loss.
He says his canine partner Gil (pictured) is, a phenomenal partner and he is very proud to work with him
‘I also want to thank the paramedics and doctors at the hospital for all their brilliant work; they said I was lucky and that with such a serious wound I could have suffered a very serious arterial bleed.’
West Midlands Police Force Incident Manager, Chief Inspector Jack Hadley, described PC Thomas’ actions as heroic adding that he was ‘truly humbled’ by his tenacity and dedication.
However, humble PC Thomas was quick to praise his crime-fighting canine partner.
He said: ‘He is a phenomenal partner and I’m very proud to work with him.’
PC Thomas, who is now recovering at home, said: ‘I knew Gil was onto the suspect. I could see the blood pouring down my arm but was determined we had to keep on the scent and catch him.
PC Thomas ripped his arm free of the fence before continuing with the high speed chase alone. His colleagues were on hand to deliver life-saving first aid before paramedics arrived
The crime-fighting duo caught the assailant hiding in a bush and arrested him, before the brave police officer collapsed from the blood loss
‘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 hope to be back on duty in the near future.’
PC Thomas was runner-up in Crufts’ Friends for Life Competition in 2013 having been nominated for his work with former police dog Janus in collaring hundreds of crime suspects during his career.
Dan gave his £750 prize money to Medical Detection Dogs, a charity that trains dogs to recognise the scent of cancer and medical emergencies.
PC Thomas was runner-up in Crufts’ Friends for Life Competition in 2013 after being nominated for his work with former police dog Janus in collaring hundreds of crime suspects during his career
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