Two school students have been seriously injured in Canberra after they were hit by a car that had allegedly been stolen while a child was inside.

ACT Policing detective acting superintendent Mark Steel reported that a green Holden Commodore station wagon was believed to have been taken from a childcare facility in Sutton, New South Wales, at approximately 7.40am, with a child reportedly present inside.

“It’s alleged a Holden station wagon was stolen from that location with an eight-year-old girl in the rear of the vehicle,” he told reporters.

The same car then continued along the road before allegedly crashing into other cars and coming to a stop near the Manuka shops.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, allegedly tried to flee the scene but was caught by tradesmen working nearby.

Officers arrived at the scene and took the man into custody.

He remains in hospital under police guard.

Steel said the man is known to police and his place of residence is being investigated.

“He had most recently been living in Victoria. While he had previously resided in the ACT, we are now collaborating with authorities in other states to gather information on his recent movements,” Steel commented.

Sections of the road remain closed as police investigate the incident.

NSW Police will investigate the alleged car theft in Sutton while ACT Policing investigates the crash near Canberra. 

Anyone who saw the green Holden Commodore station wagon (with Victorian ZAK 017) or has vision of it is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.