Boy, 11, in critical condition after being hit by police car on emergency call in Lancaster

• ITV Granada Reports correspondent Mel Barham has the latest from the scene.

An 11-year-old boy is fighting for his life after he was struck by a police car while crossing the road.

Lancashire Police said they were attending an emergency call when the collision occurred with the boy who was crossing Owen Road in Lancaster, just before 8:30pm on Thursday 25 May.

The boy was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in a critical condition, he was later transferred to Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital where he remains.

It is understood he was with another boy, who was uninjured.

Chief Supt Karen Edwards gave an update on the incident outside Lancaster Police station.

One woman who heard the incident happen said: "I was in my flat and I heard sirens coming and then, I heard a crash.

"About five minutes later I got told it was a young, 11-year-old lad. About five minutes later I got a phone call later to say it was one of my friends.

"I know the boy involved, he is a friend of my children, it is a very sad situation, they're really upset about it.

"Hopefully he's okay, it's a sad situation. Everyone around here, we're a community, it's horrible and I really feel for his mother, and his family. It's horrible."

Another woman, who saw the scene while out riding her bike, said: "People were screaming, there were crowds everywhere and there must have been 15 police cars lined up.

"They all arrived with their sirens on.

"The police car was there with the front end smashed up and the boy had been put in the recovery position."

Chief Supt Karen Edwards, Divisional Commander, said: The collision happened at just before 8.30pm on Owen Road in Lancaster at the junction with Torrisholme Road and involved a marked police Peugeot 308 hatchback which was responding to an emergency call.

"The boy, who is 11 years old and from the local area, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and later transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

"He remains in a critical condition and as I said our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. They are being supported by specially trained officers.

"We have referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and they will be carrying out an independent investigation. We will, of course, co-operate fully with them but there may be some details we can’t go into as they will be subject to the IOPC investigation.

"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 police watchdog said it will “thoroughly examine” the circumstances.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said initial evidence indicates the officer driving had activated his emergency equipment at the time the collision occurred.

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 by the incident.

“There is a mandatory requirement for forces to refer incidents like this to us, which result in death or serious injury, and our investigation will thoroughly examine the circumstances prior to the collision, including whether appropriate policies and procedures were followed.”

An earlier IOPC statement said: "We understand that a marked police van, with its lights and sirens on, was in a collision with an 11-year-old boy.

"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."

The IOPC said they are in the early stages of their investigation.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...