TWO police officers, who were hurt when their panda car crashed on their way to a reported brawl, have told how their protective body armour saved them from serious injury.

PC Emma Downing, 27, and her passenger probationer PC Hannah Wilson, 23, were on their way to Witton Park, County Durham, when their car left the road and crashed into a telegraph pole at High Etherley.

The officers, based at Bishop Auckland, were trapped in the wreckage and were rescued by a taxi driver who used their police radio to summon help.

It took firefighters 90 minutes to free PC Downing, who had her pelvis broken in three places and a dislocated right arm. PC Wilson was knocked unconscious in the crash in August but was later released from hospital.

The pair firmly believe their protective vests, made by a Belfast company, stopped them from being seriously hurt.

Said PC Downing, who faces up to eight months out of action: "My consultant said if I hadn't been wearing mine, he would have expected me to suffer at the very least a few broken ribs and internal injuries.

"It could otherwise have been a fatal crash."

PC Wilson, who has returned to work on light duties, added: "You think it's there to protect you from a knife attack or shooting, never something like this. In future I'll definitely wear mine all the time."

The bullet and stab resistant armour was first issued to front line officers four years ago. Every officer, special constable and traffic warden is issued with them but it is up to officers when and where they are worn.