A regional Victorian community is mourning the “devastating” loss of a six-year-old boy who was hit and killed while walking to school this morning.

Authorities suspect that student Caleb Wesley was crossing Bannockburn-Shelford Road in Teesdale towards a school bus stop around 8am when an early model Nissan Pulsar hit him.

The devastating event was observed by Caleb’s younger siblings, aged nine and 12, who were planning to take the bus to school in Geelong with him, according to the police.

CPR was performed at the scene by several witnesses including a nurse and paramedics, but he died from his injuries.

The driver of the Pulsar, an 84-year-old local woman, allegedly fled the scene after stopping briefly.

“The driver involved, at this current moment, was aware of the crash, stopped, exited the vehicle, and allegedly reentered the vehicle before departing the scene,” detective-inspector Craig McEvoy claimed.

“I don’t believe that any assistance has been offered, but again that’s all part of the inquiry.”

She was later located at an address in Teesdale and is now assisting police in determining the exact circumstances of the crash.

Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit are at the scene.

McEvoy said Caleb’s family was grieving.

“The family is shattered, obviously as you can understand,” he said.

“Any parent who receives that news, it’s absolutely shocking, let alone it being witnessed by his siblings.

“There’s support around them, it’s a local community, they’ve been fantastic in supporting the family at this time.”

McEvoy said police would investigate whether other factors including speed, drugs, alcohol or fatigue were involved.

Covenant College principal Joshua McEwen said the school community was “devastated” by the news.

“This has come as a huge shock to our close school community at Covenant College,” McEwen said.

“Our sympathies and prayers are with the family and we are offering support to them, as well as to students, staff and those affected by this loss.

“At this time our priority is the wellbeing of our school community, and we are praying that God’s peace and comfort will prevail for all at this time.”

Teesdale is a town located in the Golden Plains Shire, 34 kilometres west of Geelong.