AT least 20 people have been injured by a vehicle that ploughed into a crowd in Los Angeles, according to emergency services.

The LA Fire Department confirmed a traffic incident with “multiple patients” on the Santa Monica Boulevard, with reports of an “unknown vehicle” hitting a crowd.

Up to five people are reported to be in a critical condition, a further eight to ten in a serious condition, and around a dozen suffering from more minor injuries.

The fire department said: “LAFD is coordinating patient triage and transport at this time.”

LAFD identified a spot near the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Vermont Avenue as the scene of the incident.

There are unconfirmed eyewitness reports of a shooting just before the vehicle struck the crowd.

Live footage from the scene shows dozens of emergency responders and people lying on the road.