Child hurt in high-speed chase, gunfire exchange in Merritt, B.C.

A man and child are hurt after a car was stolen and gunfire was exchanged with police in a high-speed pursuit in Merritt.

At around 3:50 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, RCMP said they had tried to stop a white Ford F-350 truck and trailer that was associated with a stolen property file, but the vehicle fled.

Early that evening, the truck were spotted five kilometres from Merritt on Highway 5A, but no trailer, police said.

Spike strips were used to try to stop the vehicle, which proved unsuccessful, though it eventually came to a halt on Highway 8 near Snake road and Highway 97C.

Police exchanged gunfire with the vehicle throughout the pursuit, police said.

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Inside the vehicle, Mounties found a child believed to be under the age of 12 and a male suspect.

Both were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

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The Independent Investigations Office has taken over the case to see whether police actions are linked to the injuries.

Traffic in the area was heavily impacted for hours Sunday night with the closure of Highway 8.