A 23-year-old Southampton man has been arrested in connection with a high-speed Police chase on Tuesday afternoon.

The dramatic pursuit saw officers follow a motorcyclist from Pembroke to Paget as other vehicles swerved to avoid a collision.

The chase ended when the motorcyclist was caught as he fled on foot along the Railway Trail after braking his Yamaha bike suddenly on Ord Road near the junction with Southcote Road, causing the Police car to crash into it.

A Police spokesman said the drama began at about 3.40 p.m. as officers patrolled Trimingham Road.

“They observed a motorcycle travelling south on Trimingham Road at a high rate of speed,” he said.

“The officers pursued the cycle and activated the Police car’s emergency lights and siren.

“The rider of the motorcycle ... failed to stop for Police and continued to travel south on Trimingham Road through the South roundabout, making a right turn onto South Road.

“The Police vehicle continued to pursue the motorcycle west on South Road, with the rider overtaking traffic and causing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action.

“At the Paget traffic lights the motorcycle entered the Middle Road bound lane, only to make a sudden left turn into the South Road bound lane, causing a taxi to take evasive action.”

The spokesman said the culprit made a sharp right turn down St. Paul’s Lane and then turned west onto Middle Road, before turning sharply onto Ord Road and narrowly missing a car.

He said the Police car crashed into the motorcycle after the rider stopped abruptly.

“The rider fell from the cycle and attempted to make good his escape on foot, but was eventually apprehended by officers on the Railway Trail.”

The man arrested in connection with the incident is expected to appear in court shortly charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop for Police and riding an unlicensed motorcycle.