AN elderly woman was hit by a car and injured on one of Darlington's busiest roads on Monday night.

The incident took place just before 6pm close to the roundabout at the junction of Neasham Road and Yarm Road outside St John's Church.

The woman, thought to be in her 70s, was treated in the road by police and a paramedic before an air ambulance was called to the scene to fly her to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with a suspected broken leg and head injuries.

Neasham Road and Yarm Road were closed for almost two hours, and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

The Northern Echo:

A spokeswoman for police in Darlington said a number of witnesses had seen the incident, and it was believed that the woman had stepped out in front of a car by mistake.

"It looks like it was a pure accident," she said.

Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police can contact the Durham force on 101.