A police motorbike which hit and killed a woman in her 70s this morning is understood to have been leading a taxi convoy taking underprivileged children on a trip to Southend.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by an air ambulance doctor after being hit at about 10.25am.

A number of police cars and vans are still at the scene in Eastern Avenue, close to the Gants Hill roundabout.

A blue tent has been erected and a shoe is also visible lying in the road.

The motorbike rider was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, with chest and arm injuries. He was from the City of London force.

The Eastern Avenue between the Redbridge roundabout and the Gants Hill roundabout has been closed in both directions, and the closure is likely to remain in place for “most of the afternoon” according to Transport for London.

A stretch of Eastern Avenue from its junction with Beehive Lane to the Gants Hill roundabout – the stretch where the accident happened – has also been closed.

• Did you witness the accident? Contact newsdesk@ilfordrecorder.co.uk or call 020 8477 3000.