Elderly man injured after being hit by own stolen car

Three Lane Ends, in Escomb, in County DurhamImage source, Google
Image caption,

The car was taken while the man was parking in Three Lane Ends, County Durham

  • Published

A man in his 80s was seriously injured when he was hit by his own car after it was stolen, police have said.

He was parking in Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, at about 17:45 GMT on Saturday, when the vehicle was taken.

The man suffered head and leg injuries and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

A 22-year-old man has been arrested following the incident, which happened in Three Lane Ends, and remains in custody.

He was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Det Ch Insp Mel Sutherland, of Durham Constabulary, praised those who went to help the injured man.

"I would like to thank the members of the public who not only witnessed what must have been a distressing incident, but also to those who assisted officers and undoubtedly prevented further injuries and damage being caused."

Witnesses are being asked to contact police.

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