Brave cop, 28, who was run down and dragged underneath an allegedly stolen car tragically dies after four days in hospital with his family forced to turn off life support – as a young woman is charged
- The officer was run over and dragged under the car during an arrest
Fellow officers had to lift the car off him and attempted CPR
By Tara Cosoleto For Aap
Published: 11:33 BST, 11 June 2023 | Updated: 11:59 BST, 11 June 2023
A tragic incident in Western Australia has resulted in the death of a police officer after he was run over and dragged beneath a car during an arrest. Constable Anthony Woods, along with his fellow officers, was pursuing a vehicle believed to have stolen license plates in Ascot, located in the eastern part of Perth.
Around 1 am on Thursday, the car came to a halt, and as the officers attempted to apprehend the three individuals inside, Constable Woods was struck by the vehicle and pulled underneath it.
The immediate response from his colleagues was swift and heroic.
They worked together to lift the car off Constable Woods and administered CPR at the scene. Subsequently, he was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition, where he was placed in an induced coma for three days.
Unfortunately, on Sunday night, WA Police confirmed the devastating news that Constable Woods had succumbed to his injuries.
The force released a statement expressing their condolences and solidarity with Constable Woods’ family and colleagues, stating, “The thoughts and prayers of us all are with Anthony’s family and colleagues.”
In connection with the incident, 23-year-old Reagan Ainsley Chown appeared before the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday, facing charges related to the tragic event. Among the multiple offenses he is accused of are committing an act intended to prevent arrest that resulted in grievous bodily harm and reckless driving to evade police pursuit.
Chown did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody, awaiting his next court appearance scheduled for July 7.
Two other individuals, a 20-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man, who were also present in the stolen vehicle, were detained but subsequently released, pending further investigation by the police.