A 24-year-old man is in serious, but stable, condition after being shot by an RCMP officer Saturday near Smithers.

RCMP say that just before noon Saturday, Houston RCMP received information from the public regarding a stolen truck that was provided to Smithers detachment.

An officer from the Smithers RCMP detachment spotted and intercepted a vehicle matching the description of the stolen truck on Highway 16 near Tatlow Road in Smithers. The vehicle was stopped by the officer and two back-up officers arrived on the scene.

According to police, when the officer attempted to get the driver out of the truck, the vehicle accelerated dragging the officer. The officer discharged his firearm and the driver was struck, say police.

The man was immediately transported to hospital and subsequently was been transported to Vancouver. The extent of his injuries are not yet known.

Police say the investigation is in its early stages. The number shots fired and extent of the driver's injuries will be confirmed as soon as possible.

A senior officer from Saanich Police Department is en route to Smithers and will lead the team of investigators from North District Major Crime of Prince George.

The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP (CPC) has been advised of this incident and have invoked their Independent Observer Program to provide civilian monitoring of the police investigation. The observer will be given unfettered access to all aspects of the investigation to ensure impartiality throughout the course of the investigation, according to police.

As in any police involved shooting, an Independent Officer Review will also be conducted. The purpose of such a review is to conduct a fact-finding inquiry to ensure that a thorough, professional and unbiased investigation was conducted, and that involved members' actions were in accordance to their training, the RCMP Act and the RCMP Regulations.

Details of the circumstances surrounding this incident are still being gathered and confirmed.

Investigators ask that anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or has information relating to this incident, contact the Smithers RCMP at 250-847-3233 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).