The drama began with the theft of a car by three young men today.

The 33-year-old woman was walking to a shop to buy diapers with her seven-month-old daughter, when the car, chased by police, came barreling toward them at high speed and out of control.

The car smashed into the mother and child. Both victims were flung into the air by the impact. The child landed on the ground but her mother remained caught on the hood of the car before falling off 300 metres further along.

After then hitting a parked car, the stolen vehicle quickly came to a stop. Its occupants, two 19-year-olds and a 17-year-old who was reportedly armed, tried to escape but gave themselves up when they saw police closing in.

The mother and child were hospitalised with minor injuries. The three men were taken into custody.