Incident on Krakowskie Przedmieście Avenue in Warsaw. A man was driving a volkswagen wrong way on a one-way Focha street, hit a police officer and tried to escape. His drive ended on the gates of the Presidential Palace. "There are no indications that his actions were deliberate," Mariusz Mrozek from the Warsaw Police told TVN24.
The incident took place after 1.30 p.m. The front yard of the palace is divided into two parts. The one closer to Krakowskie Przedmieście is separated from the street by statues of lions set on massive pedestals and chains extending between them. The other part is separated with a tall fence and gates.
It was at those gates, where the silver volkswagen stopped and was shortly after surrounded with police cars.
"I see that one of the pedestals was a bit damaged, the car must have torn the metal chain from its side. There's plenty of shattered glass all over," said Artur Węgrzynowicz from tvnwarszawa.pl who was at the scene. "I see an incapacitated man lying on the ground," he added.
"There's no logical contact with him"
How did it all happen? "The man was driving his volkswagen wrong way on Focha street. One of the police officers saw that and tried to stop him. The driver didn't pull over, hit the policeman and started to get away. He was detained in front of the Presidential Palace on Krakowskie Przedmieście. It all happened before 2 p.m. Police operations are under way," informed Magdalena Bieniak from the Warsaw Police (KSP).
Mariusz Mrozek from KSP press office also confirmed the incident. He said the car drove into Krakowskie Przedmieście and then turned onto the driveway of the Presidential Palace.
"There's no logical contact with him. We will determine whether he was under influence of drugs. Most likely he drove into the gates because he was fleeing and the driveway was the immediate possibility," he stressed. "He may as well have lost control over the steering wheel right next to the palace," he added. "There are no indications that his actions were deliberate," said Mariusz Mrozek.
He underscored that the man is being watched by police officers and will be tested for alcohol and drugs in a hospital. "We will also check whether the documents he had on him belong to him," Officer Mrozek said.
The injured police officer is taken care of by the doctors. He is severly bruised and most likely his hip is injured, but his life is not in danger.
The car is seriously damaged and will be secured for further examination.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Artur Węgrzynowicz / tvnwarszawa.pl