Harrow: There is to be no independent inquiry into an accident in which a teenage boy was knocked down by a police van answering a 999 call. The Police Complaints Authority said his injuries were not serious enough for it to get involved.

The 14-year-old was hit by the van, which had its lights and siren on, in Camrose Avenue, Canons Park, at 3.35pm on June 27, near Canons High School, where he is a pupil. He suffered head injuries and was knocked unconscious. Paramedics treated him before taking him to Northwick Park Hospital, where he was kept for observation before being released the next day.

Harrow police told the PCA about the accident within hours, but an authority spokeswoman said this week it would not be overseeing the investigation.

"Harrow police informed' us, but they did not refer' the case to us," she said. "If it had been referred to us we would have worked with the police to oversee their investigation."

She admitted that by allowing Scotland Yard's directorate of professional standards to handle the matter, the PCA was allowing the police to investigate themselves, but added: "We can decide to conduct our own enquiry into a matter like this, even if it isn't referred to us by the police, but that is only done when there is a fatality or it is deemed to be very serious, if a person loses a limb or their sight."

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "We have fulfilled our requirements. In this case we didn't deem in necessary for the PCA to supervise our internal investigation. The PCA could launch their own investigation if they wished but it would seem that they trust us to conduct a right and proper investigation."

The head of Canons High, Bruce Goddard, said: "The boy seems to have recovered and is back at school. We are investigating with the council how traffic safety in Camrose Avenue can be improved."

Two officers in the van were unhurt but went on sick leave suffering from shock.

July 15, 2002 09:30