THE family of a Kent police officer seriously injured today in an incident near West Malling are at his bedside in hospital.

The PC, based at traffic headquarters at Coldharbour, Aylesford, was seriously injured when he was struck down by his own police vehicle by one of two men trying to make their getaway.

The officer had chased the two men, who were on a motor bike, down the M20 from a roadblock near Swanley until junction four at Leybourne, where they headed into the Kings Hill estate, near West Malling.

There, they abandoned the bike and the officer chased after them on foot. One of the men managed to get into the officer’s Volvo van and drive it at the policeman.

The incident happened shortly after 1pm. The officer was airlifted to Maidstone Hospital. His injuries are not life-threatening but it is understood that he could have severe leg injuries.

The officer’s car was found abandoned on the A20 near West Malling.

Police are using sniffer dogs to search for a second man described as white, aged 29 to 30, 6ft tall and of large build. He has blond wavy hair and was wearing a grey top with blue sleeves.

Police are asking drivers to avoid the area.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Maidstone and Malling police on 01622 608088 or Crimestoppers free and confidentially on 0800 555111.

* Detectives this afternoon arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of attempting to murder a police officer.