A New York City police officer who tried to stop a driver from doing stunts in Times Square was sent tumbling to the ground after the car he was standing in front of sped off, nearly running him over, dramatic video footage shows.

The scenes were captured by a skateboarder around midnight Saturday in front of a police department outpost in the busy tourist area.

Video footage shows a black Mercedes-Benz C63 kicking up clouds of smoke before an officer steps in front of the vehicle motioning for the driver to stop, while reaching for his pistol.