A 7-year-old boy, whose bicycle was struck by a pickup truck Thursday evening, was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with head injuries.

The youngster was taken to the Norfolk hospital around 6:45 p.m., minutes after his bicycle collided with the truck in the 800 block of Battery Avenue, said Lt. Debbie George, spokeswoman for the Suffolk Police Department.

Other details, including the victim’s name or medical status, were not available at press time.

William Johnson, the pickup’s driver and victim’s relative, was quiet, still stunned as he sat on the steps of a house near the accident scene.

&uot;I was carrying my son to softball practice,&uot; said Johnson. &uot;He just pulled out in front of the truck.&uot;

Shortly after the accident, dozens of neighbors gathered along Battery Avenue, attracted by the hovering helicopter overhead and numerous police cars.

&uot;I heard the impact,&uot; said LaTonya Clark of Chesapeake, who was visiting a friend on Battery Avenue.

&uot;It’s hard to find the words to describe the sound….He’ll come through this.&uot;

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com