A POLICE officer saved the life of a woman colleague by pulling her from under a car in a hit-and-run attack in Glasgow it has emerged.
An attempted murder probe has been launched after the two police officers were struck by a vehicle in Glasgow while they were on duty conducting enquiries at 11.15pm on Sunday.
The incident has led to criticism from the Scottish Police Federation over the time taken to alert them and the public over what had happened.
Read more: Attempted murder probe launched after two police officers are hit by car in Glasgow
They say it took ten to 12 hours for them to be notified about "this horrific incident" and police social media updated the public about what happened at around 2pm the following day.
It is understood a 31-year-old male officer suffered suspected concussion as he rescued his 30-year-old female colleague from the wheels of a car that was involved.
It is believed both were struck by the car before he female officer was caught under the vehicle and was being dragged along.
It is understood the car stopped, and as the male officer pulled her from under the vehicle, it reversed back over where her head had been.
The female officer who was admitted to an intensive care unit, needed surgery to a shoulder, and had fractures to her ribs and suspected internal bleeding. The male officer was initially thought to have escaped with cuts and bruises and was released but later he collapsed and was unconscious for about five minutes. He was taken back to hospital for a scan."
One colleague of the officers said: "It just doesn't bear thinking about what might have happened had the male officer not done what he did. We just hope they both pull through."
Read more: Attempted murder probe launched after two police officers are hit by car in Glasgow
The incident happened in Banner Drive, Knightswood at 11.15pm where the officers were responding to a call. A blue Nissan Qashqai which had been at the scene was later found burned out in Lennox Gardens in the Scotstoun area of the city, although it has not yet been established whether it was vehicle used in the attack.
Extensive enquiries are underway with detectives conducting door-to-door enquiries and checking CCTV footage for additional detail. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents all ranks below superintendent, said the police response was not timely enough.
SPF chairman Brian Docherty said: "Our colleagues were simply doing their damnedest to keep the public safe and faced an unconscionable attack on their lives as a consequence.
"This is a despicable and cowardly act and there can be no doubt that those who drove a vehicle at police officers did so with the intention of taking their life.
"The SPF is fully supporting the officers, their families and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
Mr Docherty added: "We will be raising with the Police Service of Scotland why almost 12 hours had passed before we were made aware of this horrific incident.
"We will also be asking why the power of traditional and social media was not immediately deployed to help trace these criminals.
Read more: Attempted murder probe launched after two police officers are hit by car in Glasgow
"The Police Service of Scotland social media accounts are amongst the most followed in the country and could have alerted thousands to the fact dangerous criminals were being sought."
He added: "We want to get to the bottom of it (the delay) to ensure it doesn't happen again. We just hope that those responsible are caught very quickly."
Police Scotland has denied there was any unnecessary delay in making information public.
Supt Thom McLaughlin, said: "The welfare and wellbeing of the officers are of paramount importance to Police Scotland and I personally visited both officers in hospital today.
"It is important to ensure that the facts are fully established around any incident so we can provide accurate information for an appeal to the public.
"As soon as we were notified of the incident an investigation was launched by detectives in Glasgow and efforts were made to inform next of kin.
"An appeal to the public was part of the investigative strategy. The facts were established and a release was drawn up and issued to media outlets following clearance processes. Police Scotland will continue to liaise with the Scottish Police Federation."
Detective Inspector Ian Hylands, said in appealing for witnesses: “Our enquiries so far have revealed that a blue Nissan Qashqai was seen at the location around the time of the incident.
"A vehicle matching that description has been found badly damaged by fire in Lennox Gardens, Scotstoun.
"However we have yet to confirm if that is the same vehicle. Despite the damage, forensic officers will carry out a comprehensive examination of the car.
"Everything that can be done to locate the suspects is being done but I would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen the incident last night or who has any knowledge of the vehicle or the suspects to contact us."
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