PITTSBURGH — Authorities say a police cruiser in suburban Pittsburgh was badly damaged and nearly hit a group of children after it lost control during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

The incident was reported just after noon on Sunday in Stowe Township. Police say a van that had been reported stolen was being chased at the time of the crash.

Police say the van hit the cruiser, causing it to spin out of control. Surveillance video shows the cruiser barely missed four children standing on a sidewalk corner. They weren’t hurt. The officer was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

Police say the driver of the stolen vehicle remains at large.