A pedestrian hit by a Greater Manchester Police car engaged in a pursuit has been left fighting for his life in hospital.

The man's condition at Salford Royal Hospital was described by police as 'critical'. No age for him has been released by the force.

A fully-liveried Greater Manchester Police car 'requested' a vehicle to stop on Milnrow Road in Rochdale at around 3.25am on Sunday, the force said in a statement on Sunday. The driver did not stop and a 'short pursuit' followed which continued onto Rochdale Road in the Firgrove area of the town. It was there the collision happened.

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GMP confirmed it has made a referral to police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in line with procedure.

Officers involved at the scene gave the man first aid before he was taken to hospital. The car being followed by police - which hasn't been described - did not stop at the scene and the force said investigations to track down the driver were now underway.

The police car involved

A badly damaged, liveried Greater Manchester Police car was photographed within the cordon today and later removed from the scene.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Around 3.25am on Sunday 19 November 2023, officers in a police vehicle requested a vehicle to stop in Rochdale.

"The driver failed to stop and a short police pursuit commenced on Milnrow Road and continued onto Rochdale Road, where a collision occurred between the police vehicle and a pedestrian.

Police at the scene

"The vehicle failed to stop at the scene of the collision. Officers provided medical assistance to the injured pedestrian, who was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where they remain in a critical condition.

"A scene has been established and enquiries are ongoing to locate the male driver who made off. In-line with normal procedure, referrals have been made to GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate and the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

Roads surrounding the incident that were closed as part of the cordon have now reopened again. No further details, including the sex of the pedestrian involved, have been released.