Policemen watch over the youth while waiting for ambulance to arrive.
KUCHING: A youth was fortunate that his attempt to escape police did not end in tragedy.
The 19-year-old motorcyclist, said to be from Kampung Buso in Bau, was initially spotted riding along Jalan Datuk Merican Salleh near Jalan Pending around 6pm by traffic police, who later ordered him to pull over on account of his suspicious-looking machine.
Instead of complying, the youth simply sped off, which led police on a chase some 2km along Jalan Kwong Lee Bank and then Jalan Pending, before his attempted escape by turning into a commercial centre.
However as he exited the commercial centre, he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into the divider. The impact caused him to be hurled onto the opposite side of the road, where the driver of an oncoming car managed to swerve just in time to avoid running over him.
Police personnel soon caught up with the youth, who sustained scrapes on his arms and legs.
“We were told that he tried to escape because he did not possess valid driving licence or road tax,” said police.
He was later sent to Sarawak General Hospital, before being held for questioning. His motorcycle, meanwhile, was impounded for further inspection.