Victorian girl hit by truck critical

A young girl is fighting for life after being hit by a truck at a Melbourne shopping centre.

The truck was approaching a pedestrian crossing near Northcote Plaza when the four-year-old ran in front of the vehicle on Tuesday morning, police said.

She suffered life-threatening injuries and has been taken to the Royal Children's Hospital, a police spokeswoman told AAP.

The girl suffered head injuries, Ambulance Victoria said.

Detectives from the major collision investigation unit are speaking with a number of witnesses, including the truck driver.