Lancaster boy, 11, is in critical condition after being hit by a police car

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An 11-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a police car in Lancaster.

Lancashire Police said the boy was taken to hospital after the incident on Owen Road just before 8:30pm on Thursday.

Police said the collision occurred while the boy was crossing the road and officers were responding to an emergency call.

The boy, from the local area, was taken to the Royal Lancaster Hospital and later taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where he remains in critical condition.

Lancashire Police said an investigation was underway. “Our thoughts are with loved ones at this time,” said Power.

Close examination of conditions

The police oversight body said it would “rigorously study” the circumstances that led to the boy’s collision with the police car, which was understood to have had the lights and siren on at the time.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said preliminary evidence indicated that the officer driving activated his emergency equipment at the time of the collision.

Kathryn Bates, Regional Director at the IOPC said: “This is an extremely tragic accident and my thoughts are with the boy, his family and all those affected by the accident.

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

“A family supported by specially trained officers”

Superintendent Karen Edwards, the western division commander, said her thoughts and prayers are with the boy and his family.

It said the collision occurred on Owen Road at the Torresholme Road junction and involved a Peugeot 308 hatchback that was responding to an emergency call.

Chief Supt Edwards told reporters: “The boy, aged 11 and from the local area, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

He was later taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. He remains in a critical condition.

“As I said, our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. They are supported by our specially trained officers.

“Now I appreciate that there will be a lot of questions about what happened and why.

And I want to assure you today that a full and thorough investigation will be conducted into the circumstances.

As you will appreciate, this is now under direct investigation, so I cannot provide additional details at this time.

“Last night, we referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, IOPC, and they will carry out an independent investigation.

“Of course we will fully cooperate with them.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank our local communities in Lancaster and across Lancashire and wider for their understanding and support during what was clearly a very traumatic incident.

“I have run additional reassurance patrols in and around the area today and over the weekend, and anyone with information or concerns should feel free to approach and speak to officers.

“Finally, anyone with CCTV or dashcam information or footage that may assist in the investigation is asked to call 101.”

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