Woman seriously hurt in Brighton hit-and-run (From The Argus)

Woman seriously hurt in Brighton hit-and-run

1:31pm Monday 16th July 2012 in News By Ben James

A 29-year-old woman was fighting for her life last night after a hit-and-run crash in the early hours of the morning (July 15).

A dark coloured vehicle knocked down the Hove woman on Brighton seafront as she walked back from a night out with friends.

The car did not stop.

The night receptionist of the nearby Umi Hotel called the emergency services to the junction of Kings Road and West Street at 4.45am on Sunday, July 15.

The victim’s traumatised friends tried to help her before an ambulance took her to Royal Sussex County Hospital.

She was later transferred to the specialist head injuries unit at Hurstwood Park in Haywards Heath.

Police described her condition last night as “life-threatening”.

Details on the offender are currently limited with witnesses only able to report that they had seen a “dark coloured vehicle” driving west towards Shoreham.

It is not yet known whether the driver was male or female or if there were any passengers.

Nobody else was hurt.

Police search

Inspector Paul Wood, of Sussex Road Policing Unit, said: “We are keen to trace the driver and any other occupants of that vehicle, and anyone else who saw what happened or has any other useful information.

“If you can help, please call us on 101 quoting Operation Claywood.”

Kings Road between the Palace Pier roundabout and the Brighton Centre was closed for much of yesterday morning as officers removed debris from the scene.

Police have erected signs in the vicinity asking for witnesses to come forward.

One local business owner, who asked not to be named, said: “We were talking today about the amount of accidents that have happened near that spot this year.

“There are a number of clubs in the area and then Kings Road which people tend to speed down. It’s a recipe for disaster really.”

Do you know the victim? Email ben.james@theargus.co.uk.