Man rushed to hospital after fiery end to police pursuit
Updated ,first published
A man has been rushed to hospital after dousing himself in accelerant and setting his car alight when a police pursuit came to an end in Gosnells on Wednesday afternoon.
It’s understood a car was involved in a high-speed chase through Perth’s south-eastern suburbs just before 3pm when it became bogged near Railway Avenue and Camillo Road.
A WA Police spokeswoman said the maroon Holden Commodore had failed to stop for police before the pursuit began, but was later called off. Police later caught up with the car and were following it when it became bogged.
“The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was then observed dousing himself with an accelerant,” the spokeswoman said.
“Police negotiated with the man, and the man exited the vehicle. The vehicle then caught alight.
“Police pulled the driver away from the vehicle and immediately rendered first aid to the man.”
The man in his 30 was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with life-threatening injuries, but was understood to be conscious and breathing.
Police and St John Ambulance are at the scene and parts of the suburb were cordoned off while firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Two police officers received minor injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
