Funfair worker uses metal barrier to stop reckless driver involved in 'GTA-style' police chase
By: This is the moment a hero funfair worker helped stop a dangerous driver during a police chase.
As a driver failed to stop during a police chase, he was caught after a have-a-go-hero used a metal fence as a makeshift stinger to burst his tyres. Shocking video shows the reckless driver hitting speeds of up to 80mph as he tries to evade police along residential streets over a three mile "GTA-style" chase lasting six minutes.
He was seen doing U-turns and driving on the wrong side of the road before speeding past a Butlins holiday camp and by brightly lit arcades along the seafront. The man then turned into the Luna Springs amusement park, Lincolnshire, where a member of the public in shorts appears to lay down a metal barrier to burst the tyres.
The reckless motorist failed to stop for traffic cops when they noticed him driving a Peugeot on false plates in Skegness in August last year. The driver began to lose control as he dangerously drove past funfair rides before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.
Police body-cam footage shows the suspect being tracked down and detained by Lincolnshire Police officers just 30 seconds later. Inspector Jason Baxter, of Lincolnshire Police's Roads Policing Unit, said: "On this occasion, our pursuit trained officers were able to take this dangerous driver off the road before he caused serious harm.
"We do everything we can to keep our roads safe in Lincolnshire, and it’s right that any driver who has been disqualified and has no insurance, should be worried they’ll get stopped if they continue to drive. We welcome safe and legal drivers on our roads, however, anyone that doesn’t comply with the law should know our specialist roads policing teams, focus their efforts on road safety and in particular disqualified drivers.
"We actively encourage anyone who knows that a disqualified driver is driving to report it, call on 101 or via Crimestoppers, and let us know." The driver, who police have not named, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was handed a 14-month prison term and further disqualified for three years following the pursuit through the busy seafront holiday location.
A force spokesperson added: "The officers involved in this pursuit were from the Force Armed Roads Policing Team. They are specialist pursuit drivers, having been trained in both police advanced driving and tactical pursuit and containment.
"The pursuit was authorised by the Force Control Room Inspector. As such, throughout the pursuit, the officers carried out a necessary dynamic risk assessment. This means they continually assess and report to the force control room the level of risk involved and provide a commentary of what is happening. The level of their training ensures their own driving is safe in the circumstances and does not put the fleeing driver under unnecessary pressure."
After the force posted footage on social media, web users were quick to praise the officers' calmness. One person wrote: "Crazy stuff driving thru funfair like that. Looks like something from GTA San Andreas - wonder if they'll make GTA Skeg Vegas." Another added: "Honestly, the calmness in the voice at the start is incredible."
A third put: "That guy who dragged the barrier saved it. Incredible work from him and the officers." Another commented: "Bravo to the man using the fence as a stinger and then moving it for the officers, somebody give him a medal."