Austrian police hunt driver of Czech-plated car who injured officer

Austrian police are searching for a fugitive driver of a car with Czech licence plates who seriously injured a traffic police officer during a routine road check, before fleeing the scene and leaving behind his female passenger and a cache of drugs.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon in the village of Krumpendorf near Klagenfurt, close to the tri-border area of Austria, Italy and Slovenia.

A police officer on a motorcycle attempted to stop the driver for a routine check. According to reports, the man ignored the officer’s instructions, accelerated, and struck the motorcycle from behind, causing the officer to fall.

The injured policeman was taken to hospital with serious injuries, local outlet 5minuten reported.

Police also said the suspect is believed not to hold a valid driving licence.