WITNESSES spoke of their shock as a young woman was hit by a car in the town centre.

North Hill in Colchester was closed in both directions on Tuesday evening following the accident, which traffic reports say ‘involved a car and a pedestrian’.

Witnesses said there were about three police cars an ambulance in attendance.

Huge crowds gathered around the woman and a number of passers-by stepped in to help her.

One witness who was passing by in his car said: “While I was driving up North Hill they started to put the cones out for diversions.

“A young female, in her late teens or early 20s, was laying in the road in shock.

“She was being treated by paramedics, just in front of Molloy’s pub.”

A spokesman for the ambulance service said they were called at about 5.13pm.

They said: “A rapid response vehicle and ambulance were sent to treat one patient, who was taken by ambulance to hospital.”

It is believed it was the woman who was taken to hospital with a possibly leg injury, but the extent of her injuries has not been confirmed.

Kimberley Dunne was catching the number 8 bus to Colchester General Hospital at the time.

She said: “The road was closed from the top of North Hill down to King Kebab.

“My bus had to divert, there were paramedics at the scene attending to the casualties.

“I couldn’t see the people, which in a way I’m glad about.”

Another witness said he saw a young girl laying on the floor and was concerned for her safety.

He said: “I was just going to my bus stop and I saw everyone surrounding her, then I saw ambulances and police. There were so many people.

“She was just laying there still, she wasn’t moving.

“I saw her get in the ambulance after a good hour or so, she was on a stretcher with gas and air.

“She had this neck support on, she looked in awful pain.”

Businesses in the area said they heard a loud bang, followed by screams and people running.

They saw a number of cars close to the young woman and noticed vehicles stopping to assist.

Police closed the usually busy road for a few hours while the incident was dealt with.