A PENSIONER is fighting for life after a collision with a car in Bournemouth on Monday night.

The 73-year-old man from Bournemouth was taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries following the collision in Wellington Road near the junction with Charminster Road.

The incident took place around 10.50pm on Monday.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said the elderly man was on the pedestrian crossing when the collision with the blue BMW took place.

He suffered head and leg injuries as a result of the |collision.

His family has been notified.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old local man, was shaken but uninjured.

The full circumstances of the collision are being investigated by officers, who are asking for witnesses to come forward.

Residents of Wellington Road were shocked to hear about the incident yesterday.

One pensioner, Charlotte Brock, 77, who lives at Gladys Court, which is next to the crossing, said: “I didn’t hear anything last night. I hope the man is okay.”

She added: “That crossing doesn’t give us time to get over.

“They have done it so it’s better but they have not done it enough.”

And Mariola Fabisiaki, 37, who also lives in Wellington Road, said: “I’ve always thought of the road as quite quiet to be honest.

“We hardly see any accidents here.

“I’m shocked to hear about this as there are never any problems. It’s terrible.”

A spokesperson for Bournemouth Borough Council said the green man period at the crossing was extended back in 2009, adding that there was no record of any further request to extend it since then.

There are a number of residential homes and sheltered housing complexes along Wellington Road, including the council-run Gladys Court and privately owned Stratfield Lodge.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have seen the car or pedestrian before the incident to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 |555 111.