French police officers in New Caledonia. Photo: AFP
A New Caledonia police officer has been seriously wounded after being deliberately hit by a car at a checkpoint.
The officer was at a roundabout at Dumbéa, on the outskirts of Noumea, when the car slowed down for the checkpoint.
But the Noumea prosecutor says it then accelerated towards two officers, who managed to dive out of the way.
The car then turned around and came back, hitting the officer and then fleeing.
The officer is in a serious condition in hospital, but his injuries are not life threatening.