A 6-year-old boy was killed in a go-kart crash at a park in Meriden on Tuesday evening after striking and crashing under a swing gate, police said.

Officers responded to Kronenberger Park just before 7:45 p.m. after receiving several 911 calls reporting a go-kart crash involving a child who suffered life-threatening injuries, according to Sgt. Adam Kery of the Meriden Police Department.

The Meriden Fire Department, Hunters Ambulance and LifeStar also responded.

Police said a 6-year-old suffered a traumatic injury and was airlifted to Midstate Medical Center. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders and hospital staff, the boy was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to police.

Kery said the preliminary investigation found that the 6-year-old was driving a go-kart with a 4-year-old boy in the Kronenberger Park parking lot where the vehicle “collided with and rode under” a closed swing gate designed to keep vehicles from driving on the athletic fields.

The 6-year-old suffered serious injuries despite having a helmet on, according to Kery. Police late Tuesday initially said the child was “approximately 5 years old” before clarifying his age on Wednesday.

The 4-year-old was taken to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford for an evaluation and did not suffer any major injuries, Kery said.

“Family members were on scene and are cooperating with the investigation,” Kery said.

Meriden Mayor Kevin M. Scarpati released a statement Wednesday offering his condolences to the family.

“Our community was shaken last night when we learned of the tragic death of a Meriden child,” Scarpati said. “My thoughts are prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

“I would like to thank Meriden Police, Fire and Emergency Communications officials who responded to this horrific call, and, with the assistance of Good Samaritans in the area, tried performing life-saving treatments until paramedics arrived. Let us use this time to support a family who lost a child and pray they find the strength they need to honor his memory.

“I offer my deepest condolences and continued support to the family on their heartbreaking loss.”

The incident is being investigated by the Meriden Police Department Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to contact Officer J. Martino at 203-630-6201 or jmartino@meridenct.gov.