ATLANTA -- A 4-year-old boy, searching for his dog, was struck by a train in northwest Atlanta Thursday afternoon, police said.

The crash happened at about 4:30 p.m. in the 2100 block of Wilson Avenue. Authorities said the incident involves a Burlington Northern train.

Police said the boy ran out of the house and onto the tracks. Investigators said the train didn't run over the child, but instead knocked him off the tracks.

Channel 2 Action News reporter Darren Lyn spoke with the victim's aunt, who identified the child as Elija Anderson.

The victim's aunt said Elija suffered head injuries and that his condition improved Thursday night from critical to good.

She expected Elija to remain hospitalized for at least two weeks at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

Neighbors said the tracks are unsafe for anyone living nearby, especially children.

"It's dangerous because the houses are near the tracks," said one resident.