Man hit by police car

The man was among a group of people standing in Wakefield Road, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, when he and a 36-year-old woman were hit by the vehicle. The woman was also taken to hospital with less serious injuries.

A spokeswoman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said West Yorkshire officers were talking to the group when the two people were hit by a South Yorkshire Police car.

She said the injured people were initially taken to Barnsley District General Hospital but the man was subsequently transferred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, in Sheffield, for further treatment.

IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh said she had decided an independent investigation will be undertaken.

Ms Marsh said: "Our investigation will focus on the circumstances of this incident and the actions taken by both South and West Yorkshire police officers in the moments leading up to the collision. Our investigators have already attended the scene and undertaken a full scene assessment."

Inspector Michael Green, of West Yorkshire Police, said the South Yorkshire car which was in collision with the two people was not connected to the West Yorkshire officers' inquiries.

He added: "Neither police vehicles - the West Yorkshire Police vehicle which was stationary or the South Yorkshire Police vehicle which was in collision with the two persons - was involved in any pursuit.

"West Yorkshire Police officers were merely dealing with routine matters at the time."

The incident happened in the Staincross area north of Barnsley which is on the border of South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire border.