A nine-year-old American boy was airlifted to the United States after being seriously injured in a dog attack on the Bahamian island of Bimini on Tuesday.

According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the incident occurred shortly after 10 am on a beach near a business establishment in Alice Town.

Police said the child had left the apartment where he was staying to collect sand from a nearby beach when he was attacked by several dogs.

An unidentified man reportedly intervened, chased the dogs away and left the scene before the boy was able to return to the apartment and alert his mother.

Officers responded after receiving a report at about 10:26 am and found the child with multiple bite wounds to his right thigh, right arm, left leg, face and head.

He was taken to the Bimini Community Clinic, where he was treated by a physician. Medical personnel classified his injuries as serious and potentially life-threatening.

Shortly after noon, the child was airlifted to the United States by the United States Coast Guard, accompanied by his father, for further medical treatment.

Police said they have identified the owner of the dogs, who is assisting investigators in locating, securing and removing the animals.