A man is fighting for his life after being hit by a lorry, just yards from a mental health unit this morning.

The 30-year-old was hit on the A27 Arundel Road at about 9.30am, closing the road until 1pm.

A spokesperson for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Meadowfield Psychiatric Hospital on the Swandean site, said: "We understand that a person leaving our site at Swandean was involved in an accident this morning (21 May).

"We cannot comment further at this time and our thoughts are with the person and their family."

The man was airlifted to the neurology unit at Southampton General Hospital, and is described by Sussex Police as being in a critical condition. He has life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the lorry, at the wheel of a lorry owned by UK transport and distribution service GE-BE Transport, suffered from shock.

The transport manager for the company said he could not comment further on the accident.

An employee at the Esso garage on Arundel Road said the man was hit by the lorry outside the forecourt.

He said the three of customers filling up their cars ran to help.

The employee did not see the accident, but heard a "big sound".

He added: "I'm really shocked."