AN elderly woman is fighting for her life after she was involved in a collision with a single-decker bus outside the Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Monday afternoon.

The woman, in her 70s and from Ringwood, is in a critical but stable condition after suffering life-threatening head injuries in the crash at about 4.30pm.

The pensioner was involved in a collision with a number 33 Yellow Bus bound for Christchurch while she was crossing the junction of Deansleigh Road and Castle Lane East on foot, heading into the hospital.

Police officers were at the scene at 5.24pm, and closed a small section of the road for several hours, stopping traffic from Iford from turning right towards the hospital.

An investigation has been launched into the circumstances of the crash, which caused some delays during the evening rush hour.

Sergeant Stuart Pitman of Dorset Police said: “It was very busy in this area around the time of the accident and we have already had a lot of drivers witnessed the crash coming forward.

“I would be grateful if anyone who witnessed this incident would get in touch, and I would like to thank drivers for their patience while we have been dealing with this matter.”

Contact police on 101 with information quoting incident number 18:364.