Police accident investigators are appealing for witnesses following a collision which left an elderly woman in hospital with serious injuries in a small North East market town.

A report was received of the collision involving a van and a pedestrian at a car park in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, shortly before 2.45pm on Friday (January 27).

Emergency services attended the scene, on Holme Terrace, where it was reported that a red and white VW Crafter van had collided with a 79-year-old woman.

The elderly casualty was taken by ambulance for treatment for serious injuries and she was said to remain in hospital tonight (Saturday January 28) in a critical, but stable condition.

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Northumbria Police said the driver of the van involved is co-operating with officers’ inquiries.

The next of kin of the casualty have also been informed of the incident.

Inquiries into the collision are said to be ongoing and police today appealed for witnesses to the collision to make contact to assist the investigation.

Sergeant Andrew Ferguson, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, said: “This was a serious collision which has left an elderly woman in hospital.

“I would like to thank our officers as well as our blue-light partners who were on the scene quickly and helped us to support her.

“We are now working to establish exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the collision and would like any witnesses to get in touch.

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“We are also keen for the public to provide any dashcam footage, especially if they saw the vehicle, a red and white VW Crafter van, in the area before or after 2.45pm.”

Sgt Ferguson added: “Your information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, could prove to be key.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on the Northumbria force website, or call 101, quoting log NP-20230127-0584.