Photo: Glacier Media

Two Vancouver police officers had to be taken to hospital Wednesday after an arrest near Sunset Beach became violent.

Officers were called to Pacific and Thurlow streets about 5 p.m. by people who saw a man yelling and behaving erratically. According to police, witnesses said it appeared that the man was hallucinating.

Two officers responded and tried to take the man into custody.

One of the officers suffered multiple scratches to her face and head, and sustained an arm injury when the suspect tried to take her gun out of its holster. The second officer also sustained cuts and scratches, and was bitten on the finger.

A bystander intervened to try and help the officers, but the suspect fled. He was arrested by another officer following a brief foot pursuit, and after a Taser was deployed.

The two injured officers were treated in hospital and later released.

The suspect, a 50-year-old Vancouver man, was also taken to hospital and assessed for injuries before being transported to jail.

Police say they will be recommending criminal charges.