Man charged with attempted murder after four police officers injured near Toowoomba identifed
The Queensland man charged with attempted murder after four police officers were injured in a violent chase outside of Toowoomba yesterday has been identified.
Bartholomew Peter Dornbush, 45, appeared in court today on two charges of attempted murder and did not apply for bail.
Three of the officers are out of hospital but the fourth — a 54-year-old senior constable — remains in a serious condition after being airlifted from the scene to a Brisbane hospital.
READ MORE: Conwoman Melissa Caddick is dead, coroner finds
45-year-old Bartholomew Peter Dornbush appeared in court today following two charges of attempted murder and did not apply for bail. Nine
The allegedly stolen truck caught up in yesterday's police crash, which police allege sideswiped the officers, crushing them against their patrol car. Nine
The officer, Detective Senior Constable Steven Ingerson, 54, from the Toowoomba Property Crime Squad, was in a coma overnight but woke on Thursday.
Family members were able to speak to him for the first time since he was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane yesterday afternoon.
He is suffering from significant hip and pelvis injuries as well as suspected internal bleeding.
"He will be assessed by medical professionals today — it will be a long road to recovery for him," Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leaver said.
One of the other officers had a broken collarbone, Leaver said, adding that the incident had "rocked the policing community and the community of the Southern Downs".
Police allege the 45-year-old accused was behind the wheel of a stolen Hino truck when it was spotted by officers outside of Toowoomba at 1.20pm on Wednesday.
Queensland Police Union President Ian Leaver said it will be "a long road to recovery" for the most seriously injured of the police officers. Today
The truck's owners were also involved in the pursuit, tracking the truck down after it was allegedly stolen from their store and assisting police during the chase.
"They were throwing things at us from inside the vehicles but we kept back, we were safe," Natasha Renyard, the truck's owner claimed.
"We constantly told police where they were."
The Hino was flagged down by officers but police allege as they opened the truck door, the driver accelerated, trapping the officers between the truck and their police car before they were thrown across the bonnet and onto the road.
The truck then allegedly sped off, leaving the seriously injured officers on the road, before it was followed by two more patrol cars to a Goombungee waste management plant.
The truck then allegedly deliberately rammed both police cars, causing extensive damage to the vehicles and causing the two officers minor injuries before being arrested.
READ MORE: 6.1 magnitude earthquake rattles Darwin and Top End
Four officers were injured after the allegedly stolen truck rammed patrol cars near Toowoomba. Supplied
The man from Oakey is facing a string of serious charges, including two counts of attempted murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enter, wilful damage, evading police and possession of dangerous drugs.
The truck was allegedly stolen at 4am on Wednesday along with a Hilux ute, which had been intercepted at nearby Charlton three hours earlier using a tyre deflation device.
Two men aged 19 and 28 were arrested at that scene and have since been charged with various offences including stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and drug offences.
They both appeared in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday morning without applying for bail
All three men allegedly involved were remanded in custody.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
