A DRIVER trying to save a pensioner seriously injured in a road accident had his car stolen.

The 65-year-old woman was involved in an accident on a quiet road near Sherburn Village, in County Durham.

As the driver and a passenger tried to help, someone drove away in the badly damaged car.

Last night, the pensioner was still fighting for life in hospital following the early morning accident.

The victim underwent emergency surgery in Newcastle General Hospital yesterday afternoon following the accident, which involved a Vauxhall Astra estate car.

Police said the driver and his front-seat passenger attempted to help the victim.

As they tried to help, the car was driven off by another passenger. It was later found burnt out in the Wingate area of County Durham.

The accident happened at about 12.20am on the B1283 about half a mile from Sherburn Village.

It is thought the local woman, who has not been named by police, was walking on the carriageway as she returned from a night out in Durham when the accident happened.

The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man from Peterlee, County Durham, and his front-seat passenger, a 17-year-old girl from north-west Durham, got out to help.

A 25-year-old man from the Wingate area was arrested yesterday and was last night being questioned by police on suspicion of arson.

The pensioner was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, suffering from serious head and internal injuries. She was later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital, where she was last night said to be in a critical condition.

The road was closed for five hours after the accident.

Police were last night trying to piece together how the accident took place. Anyone who saw the pensioner on her journey or who saw the accident is asked to call police on 0191-375 2159.