A boy is in a critical condition after he was hit by a police vehicle while crossing the road in Lancaster.
The boy, 11, was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary following the incident at around 8.30pm on Thursday on Owen Road in Lancaster.
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: "A police vehicle, attending an emergency call, has been involved in a collision with a child who was crossing the road.
"The child has been taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where his condition is described as critical. Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this time.
"An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances that led to the collision. We have voluntarily referred this matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard with an incident of this nature.
"Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist our investigation is asked to contact us on 101 quoting log 1388 of May 25.''
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We understand that a marked police van, with its lights and sirens on, was in a collision with an 11-year-old boy.
"He has been taken to hospital and our thoughts are with him and his family.
"We were notified by the force shortly after the collision and declared an investigation at 10.37pm.
"IOPC investigators are heading to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.
"Our investigation is at an early stage."


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