Yellowknife (July 14/03) - A 12-year-old boy, fleeing from RCMP in a stolen car, veered off the Ingraham Trail and was hurled from the car Thursday night.

A ten-year-old passenger was also thrown from the vehicle.

Both were seriously injured, police said Friday in a press release.

RCMP Insp. Paul Richards said police maintained a safe speed and distance from the vehicle and were monitoring the situation.

"I wouldn't characterize it as a chase," he said, but an eyewitness said she saw the stolen car driving "super fast."

Missy Jaud was fishing near the Yellowknife River Bridge when she saw the stolen car race past, with two police cars right on its tail.

Jaud heard an officer call out over the loud speaker for the car to pull over. Two more police cars followed behind, she said.

At the time, she wondered if the driver was from out of town, if he knew there was no where to escape from police on the Ingraham Trail.

The vehicle, reported stolen from the Kam Lake area, did not stop and increased its speed, according to RCMP.

It went off the road about five kilometres north of the bridge.

Both victims were conscious and alert when ambulances arrived at the scene, said Fire Chief Mick Beauchamp.

"They were suffering from abrasions, cuts and soreness in their back and shoulders," he said.

They were brought to the hospital for treatment. Beauchamp said he doesn't believe the injuries are life-threatening. "They appeared to be stable."