Officers 'thrown in air like ragdolls' in Maidenhead crash

PC Tom Dorman was working the night shift when he was involved in a crash which led to the amputation of his leg

A man has been accused of throwing two police officers "into the air like ragdolls" when he drove into them, leading one to have his leg amputated.

Hayden Brown is charged with driving a Ford Focus into PC Thomas Dorman and PC Wai-man Lam, in Maidenhead.

The crash also flung a passenger out of the car and pinned her underneath it, Reading Crown Court heard.

Mr Brown, 25 and of Maidenhead, denies three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, in 2018.

Michael Roques, prosecuting, said Mr Brown had been driving a group of people from a party to buy more alcohol and nitrous oxide balloons.

'Residents saved officer's life'

He crashed the car into the officers who seconds before, had pulled over a taxi for speeding, in Norden Road on 2 September, the court heard.

"The defendant had lost control of the vehicle. It slid straight into the two police officers," Mr Roques said.

"They simply did not have enough time to react and get out the way.

"One witness described them being thrown into the air like ragdolls."

The car then hit the taxi, before spinning into the police car behind and flipping on its side, he said.

The jury heard PC Dorman had to direct residents to find a tourniquet to stop him dying from blood loss at the scene, after suffering catastrophic leg injuries.

'Hiding in bush'

Surgery he underwent later was unsuccessful in saving his leg.

PC Lam required stitches for less serious leg wounds, but has since been unable to return to frontline duties at Thames Valley Police after being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Focus passenger Annie Butt, suffered 24 separate broken bones in the crash, the hearing was told.

Charlie Keeley and Mr Brown's brother, Stuart, were also in the car.

Mr Roques told the court Mr Brown fled the scene before being found hiding in a bush.

Giving evidence, Ms Butt said she had initially driven the car from the party to a Sainsbury's Local in Maidenhead because she had not drunk much, despite being under the influence of cocaine and cannabis.

She said Mr Brown then took over driving when they left the supermarket, shortly before the crash.

'Shouting in agony'

"Hayden drove the car underneath the bridge and he lost control," Ms Butt told the jury.

Written statements from PC Lam were read to the court, in which he described the moments before the vehicle struck.

"All of a sudden I heard the sound of an engine roar and could hear squealing and a screech from the direction of the bridge," he said.

"PC Dorman was shouting and rolling around in agony."

The trial continues.