A Queensland police officer who was struck by an allegedly stolen truck has emerged from a coma.
Detective Senior Constable Steven Ingerson, 54, remains in Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital after he was seriously injured when officers tried to stop the truck at Meringandan near Toowoomba the previous day on Wednesday.
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His family has travelled to be by his side on Thursday.
“He’s undergoing a number of tests and further treatment today,” Darling Downs Superintendent Douglas McDonald said.
“I’m pleased to say he’s out of an induced coma.
“He is in good spirits, although in a lot of pain.”
Ingerson’s colleague, Detective Senior Constable Mark Pemberthy, who was also seriously injured has been released from hospital.
“He’s in the care of his family, but once again, still has some recovery to do in relation to his injuries,” McDonald said of the 56-year-old man.
Bartholomew Peter Dornbusch, 45, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.
He has been remanded in custody after appearing in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.
Police allege he was driving a stolen Hino truck about 1.30pm on Wednesday when police tried to intercept it.
The driver allegedly accelerated as police tried to open the door of the truck and arrest him at Meringandan, leaving two officers trapped between the commercial vehicle and a police car.
Dornbusch is also accused of hitting two police cars a short time later in neighbouring Kleinton and two other officers suffered minor injuries, while the vehicles were extensively damaged.
He was taken into custody after the truck came to a stop.
He has also been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering, and evading police.
The truck was allegedly one of two vehicles stolen from a property in the nearby town of Oakey in the morning.
Two people in the other vehicle were also arrested and charged with various offences, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
They are also due to appear in court in Toowoomba.
The Queensland Police Union on Wednesday said it was providing assistance to the injured officers and their families.
QPU president Ian Leavers praised the quick-thinking officers who provided first aid until medical teams arrived while criticising the “callous disregard” allegedly shown for police safety.
“We could have had multiple police killed or critically injured this afternoon,” he said.
– With Jess St. Ledger