POLICE have launched an investigation after a woman officer sustained a fractured hip when she crashed a patrol car.
The constable, who has not been named, had to be cut from the vehicle by firefighters following an accident in the early hours of Sunday.
Police said the officer was travelling with a male colleague to a reported burglary in Darlington at about 3.30am.
She lost control of the Peugeot 306 at the junction of McMullen Road and Yarm Road and the vehicle smashed into nearby concrete bollards.
Her male colleague is believed to have suffered minor whiplash injuries and was released from duty.
Acting Inspector Dave Turner, of Darlington police, said: "The officer who had been driving lost control of the car due to the road surface being very slippery and it skidded and hit a bollard.
"We take accidents like this very seriously as we have a duty of care both to our officers and the public.
"There will be a full investigation, with the vehicle being examined and the officer interviewed."
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