Child, 8, critically injured after being struck by a train in Hamilton

An eight-year-old girl is suffering from critical injuries after being struck by a train in Hamilton.

The incident took place shortly after 6 p.m. on the train tracks located between Maplewood and Cumberland avenues.

In a news release issued on Thursday, police said preliminary information has led them to believe the young girl was playing near the tracks with friends at the time of the incident.

“It is unclear at this point if the children were attempting to jump onto the slow moving train which was travelling in the area,” the news release said.

Investigators said the child fell and the train subsequently ran over her leg.

She was immediately taken to hospital where she will undergo surgery.

An investigation into the incident is underway.