A high-speed police chase through Melbourne ended in chaos and a dramatic takedown on Friday, after a man leapt from a moving white van and was immediately hit by an oncoming police vehicle.
The pursuit began around 1 p.m. local time after the van reportedly collided with several vehicles while speeding along the West Gate Bridge. According to local reports, the suspect led officers on a 15-minute chase that stretched from the West Gate Freeway to the Princes Freeway.
Helicopter footage aired by local news outlets showed the van weaving through traffic, clipping multiple cars and narrowly avoiding others. The vehicle sustained visible damage during the chase.
As the van began to slow down, the driver was seen jumping out through the window in a last-ditch attempt to flee. Moments later, the unmanned van continued rolling forward and crashed into a light pole on the side of the freeway.
The suspect’s escape was short-lived. Within seconds of hitting the ground, he was struck by an unmarked police van. Officers quickly moved in and took the man into custody.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or the reason for the pursuit. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
