A 10-year-old boy had to be airlifted to a specialist trauma centre in London after he was seriously injured in a road accident on Monday.
The child is believed to have been riding a scooter out of a nearby playground when he was hit by a white Vauxhall Vivaro van on George Street, Berkhamsted, during rush hour.
It is thought the boy’s legs were broken in the accident and he also suffered cuts and bruises.
Early details from the Herts Police incident log suggested he may have suffered internal bleeding and potentially life-changing injuries.
A number of emergency calls were made just before 5pm and ambulance crews from Tring and Watford attended the scene.
The Herts Air Ambulance was required to airlift the child to the Royal London Hospital.
Paramedic Russell Rookley, who arrived first at the scene, said: “The young boy received significant injuries following the collision and following treatment and stabilisation by our crews and the helimed team, he was flown direct to London.”
George Street was closed until 7.20pm on Monday evening.
Nigel Granger of The Rising Sun pub, which is on the same road, said: “This is a narrow road that is often used as a cut through and I think it could benefit from signage to indicate that there is a child’s playground nearby, and perhaps some speed calming measures.
“What happened was a terrible thing but hopefully what will come out of it is that people will be more slow, considerate and aware when they drive through here.
“I want to commend the remarkable response from the emergency services and neighbours, we really are a community here.
“Our thoughts go out to the boy and his parents, we hope he will be OK.”