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Lancaster: Boy hit by police car in critical condition

BBC Police officers around car with damaged front wheelBBC
Police officers surround the car after the crash on Thursday

An 11-year-old boy has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after being hit by a police car.

It happened on Owen Road in Lancaster just before 20:30 BST as officers were responding to an emergency call.

The boy, who was crossing the road at the time, was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary before being transferred to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

The road is expected to remain closed for some time, Lancashire Police said.

police vans at scene after crash
The young victim was crossing the road at the time of the crash, police say

Chief Supt Karen Edwards said an investigation was under way and the force had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as a matter of routine.

She said: "I appreciate there will be lots of questions about what has happened and why, and I want to reassure you that a full and thorough investigation will be carried out to establish the circumstances.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their understanding and support during what was clearly a hugely distressing incident."

The IOPC said it had been notified of the collision shortly after it occurred and that investigators were gathering information.

traffic light on the ground
The force of the crash resulted in the collapse of a traffic light

Initial evidence indicated the driver had activated the emergency equipment, lights and sirens, the watchdog added.

IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: "This is an incredibly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the boy, his family and all those affected.

"Our investigation will thoroughly examine the circumstances prior to the collision, including whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed."

Anyone with any information or who has any CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is being asked to call 101 and quote log 1388 of May 25.

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