A police officer was seriously injured when he was hit by a vehicle on the A27 at Falmer last night (Wednesday 25 September).
Sussex Police said: “A police officer was seriously injured when he was hit by a passing vehicle on the A27 north of Brighton.
“The eastbound carriageway of the A27 at Falmer was closed shortly after 8.30pm on Wednesday (25 September) when the Constable from the Surrey and Sussex Road Policing Unit was struck and injured by a vehicle and taken to hospital.
“The collision is not being treated as a deliberate act.
“The officer sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and his next of kin have been informed.
“He had been helping at the scene of a broken-down lorry on one of the lanes of the carriageway since 7.35pm when he was struck by a passing vehicle just as the lorry was about to move again.
“The carriageway was closed for the scene to be examined and made safe, and drivers, including those leaving after the Brighton and Hove Albion cup game with Aston Villa from the nearby Amex Stadium, were warned of possible delays and asked to avoid the area if possible.
“A crash investigation is under way and the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision, who has not been arrested, is co-operating with the investigators.
“Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact Sussex Police online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Fenwick.”
Unfortunately this was an accident waiting to happen. We passed through this approx.10 minutes before this and the police were just stood out in the middle of the dual carriageway. Road users could barely see the police as this was on a bend and our vision was obscured by the flashing lights. There was no prior warning that they were in the road or cones leading up to it. Unfortunately I can’t help but feeling if this was set up better then this could have been avoided.