Police are carrying out an investigation after a 12-year-old girl was seriously injured following a collision with a police car in Camborne.

The serious collision happened on Trevenson Street shortly before 8am today.

The police car, a Ford Focus, was responding to a violent incident in the town with the blue lights on when the 12-year-old pedestrian was struck.

The girl was taken by ambulance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, with serious head injuries. She is being transferred to Bristol Children’s Hospital by air ambulance.

Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, responsible for local policing in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This is a very sad and terrible incident for everyone involved and a police officer’s worst nightmare.  All our thoughts are with the child and her family at this extremely difficult time.”

A full investigation is underway and traffic officers and forensic experts are at the scene including senior officers from a neighbouring force.

The IPCC has been informed as a matter of routine due to the involvement of a police vehicle in a collision.

The road has been closed at Wesley Street and traffic is being diverted down Albert Street. The road is expected to be closed for some time.

Superintendent Drummond-Smith added: “We do not yet fully understand the circumstances of this incident.  We are carrying out all necessary actions as part of a very thorough investigation and we must remain patient while the IPCC carry out its enquiries.”

Anyone witnesses to the collision are asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 121 of 6 January.