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An 11-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit by a police van which had its siren on.
Officers confirmed that the crash had happened at Owen Road, Lancaster, at around 8.30pm on Thursday evening (May 24).
It is believed that the boy was crossing a road when he was struck.
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He was subsequently taken to hospital, where his condition has been described as critical.
Lancashire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and opened an investigation into the incident.
Officers said in a statement: "A police vehicle, attending an emergency call, has been involved in a collision with a child who was crossing the road just before 8:30pm. The incident happened tonight (May 25) on Owen Road, Lancaster.
"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.
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"A road closure is in place and will remain in place for some time."
In a further statement the IOPC said: "The IOPC has declared an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Owen Road, Lancaster at around 8.30pm on 25 May, in which a child has been injured.
"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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