Quebec's police watchdog is investigating after a 39-year-old man was shot dead and a police officer was struck with a machete in Quebec City overnight.

According to the province's independent investigations bureau (BEI), around 2:30 a.m. ET, police in Lévis initiated the chase and called Quebec City and Sûreté du Québec officers for assistance.

Police laid down a spike strip but it didn't stop the car. During their pursuit of the car, a man threw an axe from the vehicle.

Officers then struck the car with their own cruiser in order to stop it. The man got out and struck an officer with a machete, police said. Her injuries were minor.

At least two officers then opened fire on the man. He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The BEI, which probes deaths or serious injuries involving police, has asked three members of the Montreal police force to assist with the investigation.

It will have nine of its own investigators looking into the incident starting later Tuesday morning.