A report of an attempted abduction of a nine-year-old boy near Halifax last week has turned out to be a false alarm.

Police launched a major investigation after the boy reported being struck in the head by a masked man who tried to get him into a white car after he was dropped off by his school bus.

The boy was treated in hospital and received stitches for the head wound.

He lives in Lake Echo, the same Halifax-area community where there were reports the last two summers of a stranger stalking young boys.

However, on Tuesday, the boy changed his story. He now says he was playing in an area where he was not supposed to be when he fell and struck his head.

Police said they have talked to the boy about the dangers of making up stories and that the matter now is being handled by his family.