A WOMAN is fighting for her life after being hit by a police car.

The vehicle was on routine patrol when it struck the 29-year-old pedestrian on the A174 eastbound carriageway in Redcar, east Cleveland, at about 10.30pm on Thursday.

The victim, who lives on the South coast and was visiting family in the Cleveland area, suffered serious head, spinal and pelvic injuries.

She was taken by ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where she remains in a critical but stable condition.

The investigation is being overseen by officers from the Cleveland Police Forces Professional Standards Unit.

Yesterday, investigators from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) travelled to the site of the accident.

They are expected to make a decision on Monday whether to take over the investigation or leave it in the hands of Cleveland Police.

Steve Small, 20, from Eston, was at a friend’s house in Larkswood Road when he heard the police helicopter.

He said: “The helicopter was shining its light into the gardens, so I ran over to see what was happening.

“It landed on the road and they blocked the road off.

“They had a stretcher out on the grass in the middle of the road and there was someone laid on it and they were crouched around her.”

A stretch of the A174 was closed east and westbound for about three hours from the Fishponds roundabout to the roundabout in Grewgrass Lane.

A police spokeswoman said: “Investigations are ongoing into an incident where a collision occurred between a marked police vehicle and a pedestrian.

“We do not yet know the full circumstances of the accident and these form part of the investigation.

“A liaison officer has been appointed to support the family of the woman at this difficult time. The force is also providing welfare and support to the officers involved.”

Police would like any witnesses to come forward, especially anyone driving east or west on the A174 at about 10.30pm on Thursday, who may have seen two female pedestrians close to the carriageway.

Anyone with information is asked to call 01642-326326.