Boy in critical condition after being hit by police van responding to emergency call

A child is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a police vehicle in Lancaster.

The child, thought to be an 11-year-old boy, had been crossing the road just before 8.30pm on Thursday night when he was hit.

Lancaster Area Police said their vehicle had been on its way to an emergency call and the collision was being investigated.

It has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is standard for such an incident.

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.”

Police appealed for any information, including CCTV or dashcam footage from nearby, adding: “Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this time.”