Police officers attacked in stolen truck ramming in Darling Downs

The Darling Downs community is grappling with the aftermath of a shocking attack on police this week, an incident that has left two experienced officers seriously injured and raised urgent questions about officer safety across rural Queensland.

The violence erupted when officers attempted to intercept a Hino truck they suspected had been stolen, in a routine stop that quickly became a life-threatening situation. As the officers moved to open the driver's door, the vehicle accelerated violently, trapping both men between the truck and their patrol car. The officers were thrown across the bonnet and onto the road in the collision.

Detective Senior Constable Steven Ingerson, 54, sustained critical injuries that left him in an induced coma. He was airlifted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital, where his recovery is expected to be lengthy. His colleague, Detective Senior Constable Mark Pemberthy, 56, also suffered serious injuries but has since been discharged from Toowoomba's St Vincent's Hospital.

The ramming didn't end with that first collision. The truck continued, striking two marked police vehicles near Goombungee waste plant. While the officers in those vehicles sustained only minor injuries, the vehicles were left extensively damaged—evidence of the force and deliberation behind the attacks.

A 45-year-old man from Oakey has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and a string of further offences: unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering, evading police, and possessing dangerous drugs. He has been remanded in custody pending his next appearance in Toowoomba Magistrates Court.

For the Southern Downs police community, the incident carries particular weight. The Queensland Police Union said the violence has "rocked" both law enforcement and the broader local community. The union is actively supporting the injured officers and their families as they navigate recovery.

The circumstances surrounding the stolen truck add another layer to the incident. Police allege the Hino was one of two vehicles taken from a property in Oakey the same morning. A second stolen vehicle—a Hilux ute—was later intercepted near Charlton, and two men, aged 19 and 28, were arrested in connection with the thefts.

For residents across the region, the incident highlights the serious risks officers face, particularly in rural areas where backup can be minutes away and situations can escalate rapidly and violently. It raises broader concerns about vehicle theft, dangerous driving, and the vulnerability of law enforcement when engaged in what should be routine operations.