Vessel ‘rammed’ police boat ‘on numerous occasions’ injuring officers- CoP Collins - Police responded with gunfire

EAST END, Tortola, VI- At least three police officers were seriously injured when the vessel they were in was allegedly ‘rammed’ several times by another vessel attempting to evade interception off East End on July 19, 2023.

This is according to Commissioner of Police Mark Collins, who made the disclosure at a press conference called by the National Security Council (NSC) on July 20, 2023.

Mr Collins said two vessels were observed approaching the VI from the direction of Anguilla. He said one of the vessels complied and stopped when VI Marine Police sounded the alarm; however, one attempted to flee and slammed into the police vessel, damaging the police boat and injuring some of the officers onboard.

Police opened fire on vessel after ‘attacked’

He said it was this that led to the police opening fire on the vessel.

“The RVIPF Marine Unit observed those vessels and in fact attempted to stop them in East End on Tortola. On approach, one of the vessels attempted to evade capture and rammed the police vessel on numerous occasions, causing some damage to the vessel and also some significant injuries to the officers onboard.