A POLICE van answering a 999 call hit a pedestrian who officers believe ran out in the path of their vehicle.

An investigation has been launched following the incident involving a marked Ford Transit van which was responding to reports a man armed with a knife was outside a shop in Burnley Road, Padiham.

Police said the pedestrian ran out between parked cars in Padiham Road and into the the path of the van.

He collided with the windscreen, suffering head and leg injuries.

The accident happened just past the Tim Bobbin pub at about 1.30am on Saturday.

The man, who lives in Padiham Road, but whose identity has not been revealed, was taken to Burnley General Hospital.

His injuries were not life threatening, police said.

Officers have launched an investigation and are yet to decide whether to refer the incident to the force's professional standards department.

Inspector Graeme Fearn, said: "Officers were attending reports of a man with a knife outside a shop in Burnley Road.

"There was a report a man ran off but we suspect it was a false claim.

"The call was a code one incident which means police should get there as quickly and safely as possible and they can use lights and sirens.

"After the man was taken to hospital we received a call a couple of hours later to say his injuries were not life threatening."

Inspector Graham Smith, force incident manager, added: "Officers were attending an emergency call in a marked police vehicle and a male has run out between parked cars and into the path of the van."

If it is referred to professional standards, its officers would investigate the accident on behalf of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

A spokesman for the IPCC said they had not yet been notified of the incident.

He added: "Normally any mandatory referral to us will be for a crash which has caused death or serious injury.

"It may well be referred to us but because it was not too serious it maybe in a couple of days rather then as an emergency case."