Two separate collisions involving police vehicles were reported over a one-hour span in Winnipeg.

The crashes sent eight people to hospital, including two young children and four police officers.

At 7 p.m. Monday, a police car with its emergency equipment activated was involved in a crash with a vehicle turning on Archibald Street, said police.

The driver was pulled from the wreckage of the turning vehicle.

"They used the Jaws of Life to rip the top off to get the driver out," said Colin Desrochers, who witnessed the crash.

The driver was reported to have a broken clavicle and ankle.

The police vehicle was headed southbound on Archibald when a car coming north tried to turn in front into a parking lot, said officers.

Desrochers said he saw someone who appeared to be an officer on the ground after the crash.

"She wasn't moving. She had to (be) carried away on a stretcher," said Desrochers.

Both officers in the cruiser car and four people in the second vehicle were taken to hospital.

Earlier Monday night, another police car was involved in a collision near Portage Avenue and Carlton Street around 6 p.m.

Police said the cruiser car's emergency lights were activated, and it was heading eastbound on Portage Avenue. A southbound vehicle on Carlton entered the intersection and both vehicles collided, said police.

Both officers in the cruiser car were taken to hospital and were later released. The 26-year-old driver of the other vehicle was treated at the scene.

"I think every officer is aware when they are driving a vehicle in an emergency mode that the risks are high," said Const. Rob Carver from the Winnipeg police.

Police are reminding drivers to be safe around emergency vehicles.

"Your obligation under the law is to pull over to the right and stop, and if you're not doing that, you're not only putting yourself at risk but the officers or firefighters or paramedics," said Carver.

The traffic unit has investigated both of Monday's collisions. Charges will not be laid.

All eight people taken to hospital were treated and released. A female officer suffered whiplash from the crash.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley