Bystanders describe 'upsetting scenes' after boy was struck by police

Bystanders describe ‘upsetting scenes’ day after boy, 11, was struck by a police van ‘with its lights and sirens on’ in Lancaster prompting IOPC investigation

• Child crossing Owen Road in Lancaster at 8.30pm when he was hit by Police van
• Lancaster Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct
• Read more: Boy, 11, is hit by police van ‘with its lights and sirens on’ 

An 11-year-old boy remains in a critical condition after he was hit by a police van in Lancaster on Wednesday night – as onlookers tell of the terrifying smash.

Bystanders described distressing scenes with people screaming as emergency services rushed to help the child, putting him in the recovery position. 

Lancashire Police said they were attending an emergency call when the collision occurred with the boy who was crossing Owen Road just before 8.30pm.

The boy was taken to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in a critical condition and was still in hospital on Friday night.

The 11-year-old boy remains in a critical condition after being hit by a car last night. PIctured is a scene of the crash site 

Lancaster Police have started an investigation to establish the circumstances of the collision and referred itself to the Independent Office for police Conduct (IOPC). Pictured: an image of the damaged traffic light

The child was crossing the Owen Road in Lancaster at 8.30pm when he was hit. Pictured is a map showing where the collision took place 

The force has launched an investigation and referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

One man, who asked not to be named said: ‘What happened is awful. He is just a little boy. Everyone is hoping and praying he gets better.’

Another woman, who came upon 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. It seemed to take such a long time for the ambulance to arrive. 

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

A police spokesperson said: ‘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.’ 

The IOPC said in a statement: ‘We have declared an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Owen Road, Lancaster at around 8.30pm tonight, in which a child has been injured.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the crash to contact them 

The force has asked anyone with CCTV, dashcam footage or information about the incident to help with the investigation by contacting them

‘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.

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