A TEENAGER was seriously injured when he was trapped under a police car which had been following a stolen vehicle.

The 17-year-old had to be cut free by firefighters after becoming stuck under the car's wheel in Halifax Road, Brierfield.

Police today launched an investigation into the incident, which happened at about 1.45am on Saturday, and said they believed the teenager may have been driving the stolen Proton car.

They were due to arrest him on his release from Burnley General Hospital today.

An official police investigation into the accident has been launched but it is not yet known if the matter will be referred to the Police Complaints Authority.

Officers said the R-registered vehicle had been taken from Brennand Street, Burnley, sometime between 9pm on Friday and 1.20am on Saturday.

Detective Sergeant Pete Simm said: "In the early hours of the morning police were following a stolen vehicle, which was taken from the Burnley area earlier that morning.

"A marked police car spotted the R-registered blue Proton, which sped away form the police car in Railway Street, Brierfield.

"The police followed the car at a safe distance. It collided with a car in Halifax Road and continued to drive in a dangerous way into Clitheroe Road.

"From Clitheroe Road the car crashed in Ross Street. The young lad who we believe may have been driving then attempted to make off from the scene, which was when the accident occurred with him and the police vehicle.

"The lad's leg was trapped under the police car's tyre and the fire brigade had to be called to release him from under the vehicle."

The boy, who is believed to be from the area, was taken to hospital for treatment where his condition was described as "satisfactory."

Leading Firefighter Roy Waddington said: "We were called to the incident to help free the person from underneath the car.

"We used our air bags, which we place under the vehicle and blow up to release the person trapped under the car.

"We were at the scene for an hour before he was taken to hospital."

Brierfield councillor Frank Clifford said: "It is right that the police launch a thorough investigation for the them to look at the facts surrounding what's happened."