PASSERS by who witnessed an elderly woman being pulled under the wheels of a lorry and killed have spoken of their shock.

The accident happened in the middle of Pavement, near the Golden Fleece Hotel in York, at 9.40am on Thursday.

The pensioner, who is believed to be local, was certified dead at the scene.

She has not yet been named by police. A spokesman said a number of close relatives were still to be informed of her death.

Police believe the woman was in the road close to the parked lorry when it set off.

Daniel Barker, 16, from Tang Hall, York, was on his way to work when he saw the woman in the street and heard a loud crash.

He said: "I heard a big thundering on the floor. It was terrible."

Others described hearing a man frantically shouting "stop, stop" before the woman was knocked over and dragged under the wheels.

Police cordoned off the street for most of the day while they investigated the incident.

Keith Allen, 39, also from Tang Hall, heard the crash.

He said: "It brings home how impermanent things are and how fragile and vulnerable we are as humans.

"The sight we saw this morning will never leave us."

Marks & Spencer was cordoned off at its Pavement exit while emergency crews dealt with the accident outside.

The lorry involved was from David Price Food Services.

Paul Martin, operations director for the company, said the lorry driver was "in a hell of a state".

"Our sympathy goes to the family of the lady," he said. "We're all shocked by it and trying to make sure we give the police everything they need."