The chase was dramatically captured by the 9News helicopter as the severely battered van, running on its rims and emitting sparks, made its way toward Melbourne’s south-west via the West Gate Freeway.

Footage from the helicopter displayed the van maneuvering erratically through traffic on the West Gate Bridge, striking several vehicles and narrowly avoiding numerous others.

“The van was involved in collisions with several parked and moving vehicles. At this stage it is understood there are no serious injuries,” police said.

After appearing to travel at high-speeds up the West Gate Freeway and onto the Princes Freeway for about 15 minutes, the van exited the freeway at Palmers Road in Point Cook.

The van performed a sharp right turn onto Dunnings Road, then car sped through two street signs, which became snagged under the front wheels of the van.

Footage then showed a man, who police allege is 36-years-old from Point Cook, being hit by a trailing unmarked police vehicle.

Several police officers pounced on the alleged offender and he was handcuffed and taken into custody.

He was later assessed by paramedics and was transported to hospital non-life-threatening injuries under police guard.

He is yet to be interviewed by police.

Police say the incident began after officers were called to St Kilda Road in Melbourne about 5.40am following reports a man’s van was stolen, police said.

The van was then spotted in Footscray, before the AirWing and police on the ground followed it through several suburbs including Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Spotswood, Carnegie, Sunshine, Dandenong and Point Cook.

The high-speed chase has left traffic crawling on the West Gate Bridge, where two outbound lanes are closed following a multi-vehicle collision.

Emergency crews, including an ambulance, are on site.

Just one inbound lane is open on Kings Way, near Park Street.

Motorists are advised to take St Kilda Road to avoid delays.