An official investigation has begun after a girl was seriously injured by a police van in West Cumbria.
The unoccupied police van rolled down Senhouse Street in Maryport, colliding with a group of youngsters at around 6pm on Saturday, April 18.
One girl was airlifted to hospital and her condition was initially described as critical.
The other girl suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital. She was discharged later that evening.
It is understood Cumbria police officers were responding to a separate incident at the time.
The incident was immediately referred by Cumbria police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is standard practice.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct spokesman said it had begun its investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident.
It said it had spoken to the girls’ families to explain its role and will keep them updated as the investigation continues.
A spokesman said: “Our investigation, which will be carried out independently of the police, is at an early stage and work has begun gathering and reviewing evidence from the scene.”
