LEWISTON — A Bates College student was struck by a delivery truck Thursday afternoon while walking on an access road outside Parker Hall.

Police said the woman was walking about 12:10 p.m. when she was struck by a truck that was backing up.

It was not immediately clear how severely the student was hurt, although early reports indicated that she may have suffered a broken leg. She was taken to Central Maine Medical Center where she remained later Thursday.

Bates President Clayton Spencer described the injuries as serious and said members of the Student Affairs staff are providing help and support to the student and her family.

Because the crash happened on private property, the college was investigating with assistance from Lewiston police.

According to The Bates Student, a campus paper, the student was on Alumni Walk when she was struck by a W.B. Mason truck. According to some reports, the student may have been wearing earbuds, making it difficult to hear the truck.

“Witnesses at the scene reported students yelling ‘stop’ as the truck continued to back up,” according to The Bates Student. “Campus EMTs were the first to respond to the scene, with an ambulance from the city arriving shortly after. The student was taken away by the ambulance at approximately 12:20 p.m. after being inside the vehicle for a short period of time. The student is expected to recover.”

Neither the student nor the driver have been identified.

“This is a deeply distressing situation for all involved, for anyone who witnessed the event,” Spencer wrote in a statement, “for friends and fellow students, and for the entire campus community who feel the heartbreak, pain and worry faced by the student and their family.”

According to Spencer, staff from the Multifaith Chaplaincy, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Student Affairs were offering “a space for reflection and support for students, faculty and staff” Thursday at 7 p.m. in Commons 221/222.

Students who may need more timely assistance may reach Counseling and Psychological Services by calling 207-786-6200.