A weekly newspaper reporter’s car was written off after he was caught up in a dramatic police chase on his way home from the office.
Kentish Gazette trainee Aidan Barlow, left, was on the way home from the newspaper’s offices in Whitstable when the incident occurred.
His Ford Fiesta was written off after the car being pursued by officers ploughed into the back of it.
But Aidan still managed to file copy and pictures ahead of the deadline for this week’s edition, leading to an eye-catching front page today.
The news team were already on the telephone to Kent Police after 14 police cars raced past their Whitstable offices in Kent not knowing Aidan had been caught up in the action.
Aidan’s copy and pictures were supplemented by images taken by the KM Media Group’s IT manager David Butler who was also caught up in the incident.
Editor Leo Whitlock said: “When Aidan called into the office we were worried he had been hurt. Instead he told us exactly what had happened and started to send us pictures from his phone.
“A great team effort by the news desk, reporters, picture desk and production desk meant we made the most of the story on all of our platforms including the paper, the web and our kmfm radio station.”
The newsroom’s Twitter feed and Facebook pages were inundated with messages asking if Aidan was OK and praising his dedication to duty.
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An expensive way to get a good story and picture! Presumably the Keystone cops didn’t manage to apprehend the original vehicle. At least Aidan is OK and has a brilliant image to accompany his insurance claim.
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Ouch – but also brilliant!
Being in the wrong place at the wrong time actually paid off – and thankfully no one was hurt.
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Hope the police didn’t object to the word “chase”!
Aren’t they all pursuits at a safe distance?
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Aidan has a great future as a reporter – if he survives. He has this talent which most people would describe as being “unlucky” – being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only if you’re a reporter it’s the right place at the right time!
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Full story, see p13.
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