British tourists are among 12 people who have been run over by a drunk driver in a Portuguese holiday resort.
The motorist, a 35-year-old driver, is said to have mown down several pedestrians in the Algarve holiday resort of Albufeira early this morning after ignoring police orders to stop as he tried to speed away from the scene.
He was arrested after crashing into another car and trying to run away on foot.
The drama happened on the Oura strip in Albufeira which is a popular nightlife area.
The officers fired shots into the air to alert pedestrians and try to intercept him.
He was arrested for crimes including assault, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Local press are reporting the injured include Portuguese nationals and visitors from Scotland, all aged between 18 and 22, as well as two police officers.
One of the youngsters is understood to be in a serious condition but the rest are not thought to be seriously hurt.
The motorist, a 35-year-old driver, is said to have mown down several pedestrians in the Algarve holiday resort of Albufeira (File image)
Police said he had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 1.29 g/l, or 0.129%.
Portugal's legal drink-drive limit is just 0.05%, meaning he was nearly 26 times over the limit.
A spokesperson for the GNR police force, whose officers arrested the driver, said: 'The National Republican Guard (GNR) informs that, through the Faro Territorial Command, it detained today, August 25, in the Oura area of Albufeira, a 35-year-old man for the crimes of aggravated assault, driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerous driving.
'The incident occurred at around 3am, on a street called Rua Francisco Sa Carneiro, when a vehicle that was parked on the public road began to move. In response to the stop order given by the Guard officers, the driver disobeyed and turned around.
'Moments later, when again ordered to stop by officers, the suspect once again ignored the order and drove towards pedestrians and the police deployment, running over several people.
'Following the escape manoeuvre, the vehicle collided with another vehicle, and the suspect attempted to flee on foot, at which point he was intercepted and detained by officers from the Public Order Intervention Group.
'The incident unfortunately resulted in 12 injuries, one serious and 11 minor, including two GNR officers.
'All the victims received immediate medical assistance. When subjected to a breath alcohol screening test, the suspect recorded a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 1.29 g/l, and was also subjected to toxicological tests.
'The facts were reported to the competent Judicial Court for the application of the respective coercive measures.
'The Guard continues to investigate, in greater detail, all the circumstances of this incident.'
The Daily Mail has contacted the UK's foreign office for comment.
More to follow.
