2 pedestrians, 3 officers injured after police vehicles collide in Vancouver

Two pedestriansand three police officers were hospitalized after a pair of police vehicles crashed into each other inVancouver on Friday night.

The collision happenedat the intersection of Howe Street and Smithe Streetaround 8:30 p.m.

Vancouver police said officers in two marked vehicles were responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens when they collided.

A statement said two pedestrians, both women in their 30s, were caught in the collision. They weretaken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Const. Jason Doucette said three police officers were also takento hospital for similar injuries.

The intersection was closed to the public overnight as the department's collision unitinvestigated.

The B.C. Independent Investigations Office (IIO) was also dispatched.

The agency investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death.On Saturday, the IIO said it was attemptingto determine whether the injuries from Friday's crash meet itsthreshold of serious harm.