A child was struck by a vehicle and severely injured on County Road 42 in Jemison about 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to city officials.

A rescue helicopter was requested to transport the 10-year-old victim to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Jemison Fire and Rescue Chief John Dennis said.

Information about the girl’s condition was not immediately available, but Dennis described it as “definitely serious.”

Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer said, after an initial investigation that included interviewing several witnesses, it appeared the girl was crossing the road to her residence in the 9,000th block of County Road 42 when she was struck by the vehicle, which was not traveling at an excessive rate of speed.

“For some reason, the child ran out in the road, according to our investigation to this point,” Fulmer said. “It’s just a sad situation.”

Fulmer said several local units assisted with the rescue effort.