Police officer hit by stolen car

A police officer was seriously injured when he was hit by a stolen car and dragged along the street while dealing with disturbances in north Belfast early today.

A red BMW hit the officer in Clifton Street at about 3am and dragged him along the road to the Antrim Road where he was dumped.

The officer was described as ‘‘ill’’ in hospital with broken ribs, a broken pelvis and two broken legs.

Further examination of other possible injuries was being undertaken.

A police spokesman said one of the officers fired a single shot at the stolen car as it sped away from the scene.

The car, which was taken from outside a leisure centre on the other side of the city earlier yesterday, was later found abandoned in Ligoniel.