A pensioner in her 70s has been hit by a lorry in Ilford town centre.

Ilford Recorder: The victim is said to be a pensioner. Picture: Ken MearsThe victim is said to be a pensioner. Picture: Ken Mears (Image: Archant)

Police were called to Balfour Road at 10.52am today (January 15) to reports of serious crash.

There they found a woman in their 70s had been struck by a lorry.

A cordon was put in place outside the former Bodgers department store, on the corner of Cranbrook Road and Station Road.

Paramedics arrived in an air ambulance and transported the woman to hospital with a serious leg injury.

Ilford Recorder: A cordon is in place outside the former Bodgers department store in Cranbrook Road, Ilford. Photo: Rafiullah NiaziA cordon is in place outside the former Bodgers department store in Cranbrook Road, Ilford. Photo: Rafiullah Niazi (Image: Archant)

Naz Begum had been at work in Boots, in High Road, when she heard “a horrible noise”. “I just heard screaming and opened the door to have a look at what was going on.” She told the Recorder that bystanders rushed to help the injured lady. “There was so much blood.”

The woman’s injuries have been deemed not to be life-threatening but are possibly life-changing and her next of kin have been informed, police confirmed.

The owner of a nearby florist, who did not wish to be named, said: “They need to do something about that road, like putting up a crossing or make it no entry.”

Speaking of the turning from Cranbrook Road into Station Road, she added: “It is very dangerous.”

Officers on the cordon said that the lorry driver stopped at the scene. No arrests have been made an inquiries continue.

Emergency services have been contacted for more details.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 3758/15Jan, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.