AN ELDERLY man in his 80s suffered head injuries after a collision with a car in Bournemouth

The man collided with a black Vauxhall Astra as he crossed Alder Road near the Wallisdown roundabout.

A witness who held his hand and stayed with him until the emergency services arrived said he was conscious and talking but had sustained a nasty head injury.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken by ambulance to Poole General Hospital.

The female driver of the Vauxhall Astra, who was visibly shocked, stayed at the scene while accident investigators examined the vehicle.

The collision occurred at 11.08am this morning.

Police closed the southbound carriageway of Alder Road, which caused lengthy traffic delays along Wallisdown Road. Traffic also backed up along Alder Road and Kinson Road.

Justin Farey, of Centre Heating, rushed to the pensioner's assistance immediately following the collision.

He said: “He asked me to hold his hand, he said he lived nearby and had just been popping to the shops.

“He kept saying he was really sorry for the inconvenience, bless him, and he was very concerned for his wife at home. He had a bad head injury but was talking okay. I stayed with him until the police arrived.

“This is the second accident I have seen at this spot, a few years ago I saw an elderly lady get knocked over there.

“I just hope that he's alright and can recover.”