For most people high-speed car chases and action heroes are
something that they only encounter when they go to the movies but
for Jason Bishop (below, right) it's all part of his job as a
motorcycle police officer for South Wales Police.
Police Constable Bishop's company vehicle is a BMW R 1150 GS
Adventure. As part of the Motorcycle Intercept team he uses it to
help catch the criminals of south Wales. But Jason got a bit more
than he bargained for when he was on routine patrol recently at a
roadside checkpoint near Swansea.
"I noticed a Volvo T5 turning off the motorway to avoid the
checkpoint up ahead," explained Jason. "It looked suspicious so I
started to follow him, but when he realised I was a police officer
he accelerated and tried to lose me."
What followed was a series of events that would usually be found
in a Hollywood action movie.
"I followed the fugitive down a narrow residential street with
cars parked on both sides of the road," PC Bishop explained. "At
the end of the street another car was blocking the driver's path,
so the thief put his car into reverse and accelerated back towards
me at high speed."
The car hit the Adventure on its front wheel and right-cylinder,
knocking it and PC Bishop to the ground.
"I really think the BMW's cylinder configuration saved my life,"
he explained. "I was being pushed along the floor trapped under my
BMW. The only thing that stopped me being crushed was the fact that
the car thief couldn't drive over the exposed cylinder head of the
bike."
After pushing PC Bishop along the road for 30 metres the car
thief made his next major mistake, stalling the car's engine. This
gave PC Bishop the time he needed to get away from his bike and
around the side of the car to the driver's window, which was open.
As he fought with the criminal to get hold of the keys the driver
managed to start the car and drive away, taking Jason with him.
"I was being dragged alongside the car and was getting bounced
off parked vehicles until I managed to grab the keys and disable
the car," recalled PC Bishop.
Once he was arrested it soon became clear why the car thief was
so desperate to get away. Not only was the car stolen but he was
also wanted by the police for a long list of crimes. Incredibly, PC
Bishop escaped with no broken bones - in fact his most serious
injury was ligament damage to his ankle, from which he is currently
recovering.
"I've always said that the R 1150 GS Adventure is the perfect
bike for my job; it handles fantastically on road but has the
ability to perform equally well off-road," he enthused. "Now I'm
even more impressed, in fact I'm convinced that the Boxer
configuration saved my life."
Note to Editors
Police Services across Australia use BMW Motorrad products for
patrol, escort and general duties. The new BMW R 1200 RT Authority
machine is now joining the ranks.
For further information contact:
Alexander Corne
Communications and Specialist Media Manager
BMW Group Australia
Phone: 03 9264 4150
Fax: 03 9562 2799
Mobile: 0439 568 819
Email: alexander.corne@bmw.com.au