POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a van hit an elderly woman which left her in hospital with serious injuries.

The incident happened around 11.30am yesterday, Monday 23, in Gloucester Road, Brighton.

Sussex Police closed part of the road and put up police tape. There were clothes strewn on the floor, some with blood on them.

One passerby told The Argus they heard shouting as the van apparently struck the woman.

The Argus: The van can be seen in the backgroundThe van can be seen in the background

He said: “I heard somebody shout ‘stop, stop, stop!’ and heard what sounded like banging on the side of the van.”

The woman, in her 80s, went to hospital with serious injuries.

The section of road was closed for around four hours while police investigated the scene at Gloucester Road and Tidy Street.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police were called to a collision between a van and a pedestrian in Gloucester Road, Brighton, about 11.56am on Monday, May 23.

The Argus: Clothes strewn on the floor in Gloucester RoadClothes strewn on the floor in Gloucester Road

“The pedestrian – a woman in her 80s – sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

“A section of the road was temporarily closed while emergency services were in attendance, but has since reopened.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting serial 541 of 23/05.”