POLICE are hunting for the driver of a ute that mowed down eight pedestrians in Melbourne this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the south Melbourne suburb of Pakenham just after 3.30pm after reports a car had hit pedestrians at the intersection of Cardinia Road and the Princes Highway.

Police are still searching for the driver, who a spokesman for Victoria Police confirmed has fled on foot.

Victoria Police has released a description of the driver, who is “perceived to be of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, aged in his mid-20s with a solid build with black afro style hair.”

The male was last seen running west on the Princes Highway wearing a dark blue shirt and long black pants.

Victoria Ambulance has released the conditions of the victims.

A woman aged in her 30s has chest, back and shoulder injuries. She was taken to The Alfred hospital in a serious condition.

A primary school aged girl has abdominal and leg injuries and was taken to the Royal Children’s hospital in a stable condition. A spokeswoman from the hospital confirmed to news.com.au she is nine years old and arrived in a serious but stable condition.

Five other primary school aged girls have cuts and grazes. Three were taken to Dandenong hospital and two were transported to Monash Medical Centre.

A primary school aged boy was treated at the scene but wasn’t taken to hospital.

The intersection is close to the Arena Shopping Centre, St Francis Xavier College and St Clare’s Primary School.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

More to come