Boy, 16, hit by police car in Birmingham 'critically hurt'

The teenager was struck outside Erdington police station

A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition after he was hit by a police car.

He was struck by the vehicle outside a police station in the Erdington area of Birmingham on Wednesday evening.

The police constable who had been driving the Peugeot provided life-saving first aid until medical help arrived, West Midlands Police said.

They said the family of the boy, from Kingstanding, have been at his bedside in hospital.

'Very upset'

Initial inquiries suggested the male officer was on a routine patrol and not responding to an emergency call, the force said.

The boy, his brother and another youngster had just left the Potter's House Church, on the other side of the road from the police station.

Pastor Lewis Claxston heard the accident and rushed to the scene, where he said the injured boy's younger brother and his friend were "very upset and screaming".

"I couldn't do anything for him because the police officer was there and another guy from the church who was able to help him and put him in the recovery position.

"I tried to help his younger brother and comfort him as much as possible," Mr Claxston said.

'Left traumatised'

The officer, who was alone in the car, was questioned by detectives from the force's Professional Standards Department after the crash on Sutton New Road shortly after 21:00 GMT.

The officer had been "left traumatised by the ordeal" but were "providing every assistance to the investigation", the force said.

A full investigation has been launched by West Midlands Police "to understand what happened".

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has also been informed.

Ch Insp Neil Hobson said: "Our thoughts are with the young man and his family who are understandably extremely worried about their loved one."

Witnesses have been spoken to and CCTV cameras which may have captured the collision have been identified, the force added.