Coventry police officer injured in hit-and-run 'faces long road to recovery'
26 September 2019, 16:04
A police officer who was injured in a hit-and-run incident in Coventry has been named as Christopher Burnham - and his colleagues say he "faces a long road to recovery" from hospital.
PC Burnham is being treated for a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and a shattered knee after he was deliberately knocked down by a Mini on Wednesday afternoon.
The 48-year-old, who has a wife and 10-year-old son, had tried to stop the Mini at the junction of Holbrooks Lane and Burnaby Road, when it struck him.
The driver then left the scene, and an abandoned Mini was discovered a short while later.
West Midlands Police said in a statement on Thursday that Mr Burnham's family were with him at the hospital, "where he is expected to remain for some time".
His colleagues in the force, where he has worked for 25 years, have paid tribute to a "very well-regarded and proactive" neighbourhood officer.
They were left "shocked and upset" by the news of the "heinous crime," said Chief Superintendent Mike O'Hara.
He added: "[Chris] was doing his job in keeping Coventry safe when he has been deliberately driven at by someone who then made off from the scene.
"I've spent time with Chris and his wife in hospital today and it's clear he now faces a long road to recovery.
"We will do everything possible to support him and his family through this really difficult time."
A search is now underway to locate the driver of the Mini with investigators watching back on reams of CCTV.
"We will stop at nothing to locate the offender and bring him to justice for this heinous crime," Mr O'Hara added.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk, or via 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
