Search under way after BMW hits bus

A hunt is under way after a would-be burglar crashed a stolen BMW into a bus in Sydney's south before scuffling with an off-duty police officer who stopped to help.

The stolen bronze-coloured sedan collided with the bus and another car in Maroubra about 3pm on Friday, severely damaging all three vehicles.

One person on the bus was taken to hospital with serious injuries, and eight elderly passengers were treated for minor injuries at the scene, on the junction of Maroubra Road near Hannan Street.

An off-duty police officer stopped to help and ended up scuffling with the BMW driver, who it's alleged was involved in an attempted burglary 40 minutes earlier.

The man escaped, sparking a widespread manhunt involving helicopters and dozens of patrol cars.

Network Ten reported that a nearby childcare centre was evacuated as a precaution.

Police say the stolen BMW was used as a getaway vehicle as three men, one armed with a gun, tried to break into a home in Little Bay about 2.20pm.

The owners of the property were home at the time and the men didn't get inside.