A MAN was mown down by a van driver who was trying to outrun police.

The pursuit started after police officers tried, and failed, to stop a man who was driving dangerously in East Street.

The high-speed chase, which ensued, saw a man hit by a Vauxhall Combo van in St Bennetts Road, Prittlewell.

Officers got out to help the stricken man and alert an ambulance...and this meant the driver got away.

However, officers found the vehicle in Hill Road, Southend, the next day. A 52-year-old man was arrested shortly afterwards.

Martin Terry, Independent councillor for community safety, said: “It is deeply concerning someone would want to evade police and hit a pedestrian.

“Thankfully the man crossing the road was not seriously hurt during the incident.

“Clearly this sort of dangerous driving is unacceptable on our roads.

“Obviously the driver did not want to stopped and the police were just doing their jobs and duty.

“It is an horrendous incident and must have been very frightening for this pedestrian.

“I am pleased to see police took swift action in this case.”

Mr Terry said the pedestrian had a bit of a lucky escape from serious injury.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the incident to come forward immediately.

A spokesman for Essex Police: “We attempted to stop a vehicle in East Street, Southend.

“The van failed to stop before colliding with a pedestrian who was crossing St Bennetts Road shortly afterwards.

“We stopped to provide assistance to the man, who was taken to hospital by ambulance for precautionary checks.

“We located the vehicle at 1.30am the following day in Hill Road before we arrested a 52-year-old man from Southend on suspicion of failing to stop and dangerous driving.

“He has since been released on bail until Thursday October 17.”

Anyone with information on the incident, which happened at about 11.10pm on Friday, September 27, is asked to call Serious Collision Investigations Unit on 101 quoting incident 1489 of 27/09.