A WOMAN is seriously ill in hospital after being hit by a van in Bishop Auckland.

The woman, who is in her 50s and lives locally, was walking when she was struck by a Vauxhall Movano van in Cockton Hill Road at about 5pm yesterday.

The van was turning right onto Acacia Road when the incident happened.

Fire and Ambulance crews assisted in removing the injured woman from under the vehicle before taking her to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The road was closed for several hours.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary, said: “We would like to hear from any witnesses who were in the area at the time or to anyone with dash cam footage to come forward who have not already spoken to police.”

It is the second time a pedestrian has been hit by a vehicle recently.

Last Wednesday, a 72-year-old man was struck by a dark blue Toyota Yaris at about 5.45pm on the same road.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital but a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said his injuries were not serious.

Anyone with information is asked to ring the Collision Investigation Unit on 0191 3752159 or Durham Police on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 295 of November 15.