A police officer clad in riot gear collapsed during clashes between police and protesters during Wednesday’s May Day demonstrations in the French capital.

Live footage captured the moment the policeman suddenly dropped to the ground, surrounded by fellow officers. Exactly what caused his sudden collapse is not clear from the footage, however RT France reporter Lucas Léger ‏said the officer was struck in the face by a projectile, likely made from part of a paving slab.

Grosses pierres cassées par les #blackblocks pour en faire des projectiles. Un #CRS a été blessé au visage lors de la charge. Il est au sol. pic.twitter.com/HhpDLvOJRP — Lucas Léger (@lucas_rtfrance) May 1, 2019

Other riot police officers pulled the fallen cop further down the street and medics rushed over to attend to him as smoke billowed around them.

Also on rt.com Tear gas fired during May Day demonstrations in Paris, scores detained

Several protesters were injured in clashes between May Day marchers and police even before the event officially kicked off in Paris. Some, sporting bloodied faces, were given emergency medical treatment. About 200 people have been arrested.

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