A child is believed to have been struck by a semi truck while boarding the bus to school earlier this week.

Manitoba RCMP say officers were advised that a school bus had been stopped with its lights and safety arm activated when a six-year-old boy exited his SUV and crossed the highway to board the bus.

"A northbound semi did not stop for the school bus and either struck the child or passed by extremely close enough to cause injuries to the child," says RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Julie Courchaine.

Officers from the Amaranth RCMP responded to the report around 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

The child was reportedly hit on Highway 50 near the turnoff to the Sandy Bay First Nation. He was transported to hospital and released after a short time.

The driver of the semi, a 48-year-old man, was arrested at the scene for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle. He was released on conditions for a future court date, Courchaine says.

RCMP say the matter is still under investigation at this time.