Toddler dies after being hit by car in Melbourne's north

A toddler has died after being struck by her father's car in a driveway as he returned to their home in Melbourne's north last night.

Emergency services were called to a home on Esteem Road in Craigieburn just before 8.30pm after reports the 17-month-old had been hit by a car.

Paramedics tried to help the child but she couldn't be saved.

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Neighbour Pemba Kemal said she saw the aftermath.

"Oh, very bad, very bad," Kemal said.

"I saw the fire engine, ambulance, police, you know, came all together, all the street full."

The toddler's 36-year-old father was behind the wheel of the vehicle.

He was questioned by police and the Toyota was forensically examined. 

Police are investigating what led to the toddler's death and no charges have been laid. 

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Glenn Weir said the death is difficult news for the family, friends, neighbours and first responders.

"It's tragic any time of the year, but coming into Christmas that is really, really something that is really going to be hard to deal with," he said.

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Neighbours said the family kept to themselves and described the little girl as full of joy and always running around the street.

Her death has rattled the community. 

"It's a really unfortunate thing that happened," neighbour Manjinder Kahlon said.

"I have got little kids with me and it's a very quiet street.

"Something happening like that, it's very unfortunate."