A child has been critically injured in a serious crash in Sockburn this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman told Chris Lynch Media police received a report of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian on Owens Terrace at 3.15pm.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area while emergency services respond.

A St John Ambulance spokesman said they responded with one ambulance, one rapid response unit and one manager to the scene.

The patient is in a critical condition and has been transported to Christchurch hospital. 

The age of the child wasn’t immediately available.