An seven-year-old boy is in a critical condition in Tauranga Hospital after being struck by a car in Welcome Bay this evening.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating but WBOP Road Police Sergeant Mike Owen told SunLive a group of children were playing spotlight down Meander Drive when the child was struck.

People at the scene this evening.

'About 6pm tonight a group of children were playing spotlight and a car travelling up Meander Drive has struck one of those children crossing the road.”

St John Ambulance arrived at the scene just after 6pm and transported the young boy to Tauranga Hospital.

St John Ambulance district operations manager Jeremy Gooders says the boy has sustained a serious head injury.

He is in critical condition.

Mike says police Serious Crash Unit is on scene interviewing witnesses and gathering information.

The road remains closed and police are expected to remain on scene until 9.30pm.

A witness at the scene, who did not wish to be named, says there were reports a vehicle was doing burnouts up the road earlier in the evening.

The resident is concerned at the speed of vehicles travelling along Meander Drive and believes speed bumps need to be installed.

Earlier:

A reporter at the scene says a young boy has been hit by a vehicle and is lying on the road.

"There are quite a few people arguing on the road. It doesn't look good."

Two St John ambulance and four or five police vehicles are present and a number of people are gathered on the road and to the side.

The accident is near the back end of Selwyn Ridge Primary.