Bendigo Crime Investigation unit detectives charged the driver, a 36-year-old Broadmeadows man, with intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving, assaulting a police officer, intentionally causing injury and reckless conduct endangering life, committing an indictable offence while on bail, reckless conduct endangering serious injury and failing to stop upon police request.

The man was also charged with driving offences including driving while suspended and failing an oral fluid test while driving.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The man’s passenger, a 24-year-old Broadmeadows woman, was charged with intentional exposure of police officer to risk by driving, assaulting a police officer, intentionally causing injury and reckless conduct endangering life.

She was bailed to appear at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on October 15.

A male leading senior constable and female constable were both taken to hospital with injuries sustained during the arrest.

The two officers have since been discharged from hospital.

SATURDAY 1pm: ONE police officer has been discharged from hospital and a second was in the process of heading home after a ‘fairly traumatic’ incident in Kangaroo Flat last night.

Bendigo Acting Superintendent Paul Gardiner said a male police officer sustained a number of lacerations, bruising and swelling after becoming trapped in a moving car with two alleged offenders for about 200 metres.

“He had to essentially escape from the vehicle. He's then had to roll off the roadway to get out of harm's way, because, as you could appreciate at 6.20pm on a Friday night on the Calder Highway, there were a number of other vehicles around in the vicinity,” Acting Superintendent Gardiner said.

He said the leading senior constable became trapped in the car after a struggle with the male driver of the vehicle, who the officer was trying to arrest.

“In that struggle they’ve sort of basically both linked together,” Acting Superintendent Gardiner said.

He said the male officer would have probably been close to being on the lap of the male driver as the vehicle was going down the highway, with a second alleged offender in a passenger seat.

“He has obviously been fairly frantic and in a really, really dangerous and tough situation,” Acting Superintendent Gardiner said of the male officer.

“He's basically negotiated with the occupants to slow down so he could get out of the vehicle, he could get to some safety, and then he radioed ahead what the situation was, to be able to allow our other police members to arrest the other male and female in the offending vehicle.”

Supporting members came from Castlemaine and were situated further up the highway.

Acting Superintendent Gardiner estimated the blue Honda Civic was intercepted about 10 kilometres down the road.

Police said the vehicle was substantially damaged and travelling ‘very slowly’ when it was finally intercepted on the Calder Highway, near Fogartys Gap Road.

Acting Superintendent Gardiner said the car had collided with a number of trees on its path along the highway.

“In that process when our other member was trying to assist, the vehicle has actually physically collided with her as well, and that's where her physical injuries have come from,” he said.

The female constable sustained a broken wrist and lacerations around her face, as well as general soreness and bruising.

“Both [of the officers] are in good spirits considering the seriousness and the gravity of what occurred last night,” Acting Superintendent Gardiner said.

“It's an incident that no-one wants to come to work to, and nor do we expect to, but we've got two dedicated police members that are here serving the public of Victoria they've done an exceptional job in very, very difficult circumstances.

“We're really fortunate we've got them. We're fortunate they're well enough and in good spirits at the moment, and we'll need to help them through the recovery period.”

Police had received reports of a blue 2017-model Honda Civic driving erratically in the area throughout the day yesterday.

The two Bendigo Highway Patrol members observed a vehicle matching that description parked on the side of the road as they were driving through the Kangaroo Flat area about 6.20pm.

Acting Superintendent Gardiner said the vehicle was parked on the side of the road, and a male occupant was outside of the vehicle.

He said the police officers parked behind the vehicle of interest to talk to the occupant, having realised the vehicle was wanted in regards to another ‘serious incident’.

A taser was activated during the incident, but it is not yet known if it was deployed.

“The exact circumstances are still being fully investigated,” Acting Superintendent Gardiner said.

A 36-year-old man from Broadmeadows was arrested and remains in police custody, assisting investigators with their inquiries.

The passenger, a 24-year-old woman from Broadmeadows, was taken to hospital for observation under police guard.

She, too, remains in custody and is assisting police with their enquiries.

Police have appealed for information and would particularly like to speak to anyone who might have observed the driving behaviour of a blue Honda Civic in the Bendigo area yesterday.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au 

FRIDAY: One police officer was allegedly hit by a car and another ejected himself from a moving vehicle during a police operation on the Calder Highway on Friday night.

Bendigo Highway Patrol intercepted a blue Honda Civic, which was spotted driving erratically in the area throughout the day, on the highway south of Kangaroo Flat at 6.20pm.

Police attempted to arrest the male driver who became hostile.

A struggle ensued with both the driver and female passenger. 

The driver of the vehicle tried to speed off with the male police officer still inside the vehicle.

The leading senior constable ejected himself from inside the vehicle and was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A female constable, who was allegedly hit by the car, was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The vehicle then continued southbound down the highway before coming to a stop near Fogartys Gap Road.

The female passenger was arrested then taken to hospital for observation.

The male driver was also arrested and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed two people had been transported to Bendigo Hospital.

One southbound lane of the Calder Highway has been closed as police investigations continue.