A HUDDERSFIELD policeman has been badly hurt in a freak crash.
The 36-year-old traffic officer, based in Holmfirth, was standing talking to a colleague and a recovery truck driver in Shepley when three cars were involved in a crash next to them.
One of the cars careered into the police car and the impact left him with serious hip injuries.
The recovery driver was also hurt, but only bruised.
The crash happened on the A635 Penistone Road close to its junction with Piper Well Lane in Shepley at 9.50am yesterday.
The policeman suffered a badly broken hip and was airlifted to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
He underwent surgery at the hospital yesterday afternoon. He has not been named.
The smash involved a dark green BMW driven by a Holmfirth man, a silver Ford Fiesta and a burgundy Renault Clio.
The drivers of the Fiesta and the Clio - along with a baby in the Clio - were taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with minor injuries.
It is thought the impact sent the Clio into the policeman and the Fiesta spun off and hit a patient transfer ambulance parked nearby.
No-one was hurt in the ambulance.
Sgt Andy Addy, of Huddersfield traffic police, said: "Accident investigation experts were called to the scene and the road was closed between Penistone Road at the Sovereign crossroads and Piper Well Lane for a couple of hours.
"We are appealing for witnesses."
Contact Sgt Addy on 01484 436846.
