Brighton: Boy, 8, hit by lorry in Preston Park

The crash happened this afternoon at around 1.30pm in Preston Park, Brighton.

Police said the child was seriously hurt but the injuries are not life threatening.

It is believed the articulated lorry is part of the circus which is being set up in the park ready to start tomorrow.

The youngster is believed to have been taken to Shoreham Airport by road ambulance where an air ambulance was waiting to transfer him to a hospital in Southampton.

Police at the cordon (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

Police said no arrests had been made at this time.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police responded to a report of a collision between a lorry and a pedestrian in Preston Park, Brighton, at 1.34pm on Tuesday, May 9.

"The victim, a boy believed to be aged eight, sustained serious, but not life-threatening injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment.

"The vehicle has been secured and the driver is assisting police as enquiries continue.

Police around a circus lorry in the park (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

"Anyone who witnessed the incident or captured footage of it is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting serial 732 of 09/05."

Police officers could be seen around a circus lorry in the park.

One officer was inside the cab with someone else behind the wheel.

There were at least 14 police cars in the park.

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A bystander told The Argus: "There’s a huge police presence in the north end of Preston Park with a cordon.

"People have gathered around the cordon to see what’s going on and liaise with the police."

A large crowd was gathered around the crash scene which was cordoned off by police officers.

A piece of clothing and some shoes were within the cordon.

Most officers left the scene by around 3.30pm.

A Secamb spokesman said: "We were called to reports of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Preston Road shortly before 1.30pm today.

"Ambulance crews attended and were joined by the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

"The pedestrian, a child, has been airlifted to hospital in Southampton."

Circus Berlin runs in Preston Park from tomorrow until Sunday.

A spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the incident and we are currently assisting the police with their investigation.

"Public safety is always our number one priority."