A 25-year-old woman is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a police car in Dalston Lane on Boxing Day.

Scotland Yard and the Independent Police Complaints Commission said earlier today the woman had died in hospital, but have now admitted this was an error.

The pedestrian was left in critical condition following the crash at 11.30pm but is now off her ventilator.

Two cop cars were on their way to a call and were racing up Amhurst Road towards Pembury Circus when the collision happened. They were said to have had their blue lights flashing and sirens on. Police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating.

One man who filmed the aftermath of the crash told the Gazette: “Apparently the police car was going in between two buses and the girl was behind the bus. I saw a police car pull up on the kerb in Amhurst Road and thought there was going to be a chase but he went into the back of his car and took out a medical bag.

“I followed and recorded what was happening but a police officer threatened me saying she could take my phone. Apparently they took another woman’s phone off her.

“Police cars blocked up Dalston Lane and the junction afterwards. A lot of people turned up from the Pembury [estate].”

The man’s video footage does show a police officer asking him why he was filming before saying: “If it’s a crime we can seize your phone, I’m just letting you know that.”

Another tells him to be respectful to the people involved and adds: “I’d expect you not to film right now.”

Police have powers to seize recording devices if they believe it contains evidence in relation to an offence they are investigating.

An IPCC spokesman said: “It is understood the police vehicle was attending an incident when the collision took place.

“The woman suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.

“The incident was referred to the IPCC by the Met and an independent investigation was launched in the early morning of December 27.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The Met’s directorate of professional standards were informed and the incident was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission who launched an independent investigation.”

Pembury Circus is a notorious accident blackspot and there had been 58 crashes there in the last seven years, as of December 1.

Hackney Council was this month given £10million by TfL to make it, as well as three other lethal junctions, safer for road users.