WA highway patrol officers, 80-year-old woman injured in separate police crashes near Northam and in Subiaco

Two officers and an 80-year-old woman have been injured in separate police crashes just 20 minutes apart on Thursday.

A young officer, understood to be a 26-year-old male, was carrying out patrol duties on the Great Eastern Hwy in Irishtown near Northam, 100km northeast of Perth, when the vehicle he was in collided with a semi-trailer just before 11am.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Cops injured in truck crash near Northam.

He airlifted to hospital in WA’s capital city and is in a serious condition.

A second highway patrol officer in the vehicle, believed to be a 34-year-old man, was taken to Northam Hospital with minor injuries.

The truck driver was not hurt.

The cause of the crash is now being looked at, with the probe to include oversight from the internal investigation team.

“It’s standard protocol, there’s nothing unusual,” Peters said.

“This crash will be investigated like any other by Major Crash and at the conclusion of their investigation we’ll make determinations if anyone was at fault.”

Peters did not believe a pursuit was underway at the time of the collision.

A 5km stretch of Great Eastern Hwy between Northam-Toodyay Rd and Northam Pithara Rd remains closed.

The second crash, in the Perth suburb of Subiaco, occurred when police were called to reports a woman was armed with a firearm.

Police were “actively responding, lights and sirens” when they collided with an 80-year-old’s vehicle as she drove into her driveway, Peter said.

She was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police were not hurt.

The speed of the officers will be subject to an investigation, the commander said.

Peters said a 23-year-old woman was assisting police in relation to the firearms report, but did not comment on whether authorities will allege she was actually armed.

“What I would say in relation to both these matters is it’s a very stark reminder to the community about the perils of policing,” Peter said.

“Policing is inherently dangerous and our officers go out every day to protect the community and make it safe and this is an example of how dangerous and difficult policing is and the work that our officers do.”

Peters said support will be provided to officers and members of the community involved in Tuesday’s crashes, vowing to “make sure that their welfare is cared for and looked after”.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.