Police car left dangling mid-air after crashing through railings on UK pier

A police car was left with its front end dangling mid-air after it ploughed through railings on a seaside pier when it collided with another vehicle.

The incident on Ryde pier on the Isle of Wight began when officers had been heading to a suspected indecent exposure case in Newport.

But just before 10.10am, the police car crashed with another vehicle, then went through the railings and became wedged in place, with its front half dangling precariously.

Firefighters freed two people trapped in a vehicle after the crash and they were uninjured, fire crews say.

Ambulance and coastguard crews and other officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary also rushed to the scene to help.

Experts were sent to assess the structural safety of the pier, which was closed to vehicles and pedestrians, before the police car was moved.

Heavy lifting gear was sent to raise the stricken police car.

A 29-year-old man from Ryde was later arrested on suspicion of exposure and was taken into police custody.

The Wightlink Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head catamaran service was suspended.

Wightlink said: “Customers with vehicles parked at the end of Ryde Pier will not be issued with parking tickets while the pier remains closed.

“We apologise for the disruption and will continue to keep customers updated.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: “Officers were carrying urgent enquiries in relation to an incident of indecent exposure in Wallace Court, Newport.

“A 29-year-old man from Ryde has been arrested on suspicion of exposure and is currently in police custody.”