A FEMALE pedestrian suffered injuries so serious she may have to have her leg amputated, after being struck by a runaway car which then careered into an elderly couple.

A FEMALE pedestrian suffered injuries so serious she may have to have her leg amputated, after being struck by a runaway car which then careered into an elderly couple.

The 23-year-old woman, believed to be from Bradwell, was initially taken to the James Paget University Hospital following the accident in Lowestoft Road, Gorleston at midday today. She was later transferred by the East Anglia Air Ambulance to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

Adrienne Watts, spokeswoman for the ambulance service, said: “There was some concern about the injury to this patient's leg. It was a very serious leg injury. They feared she might possibly have to lose it.”

The elderly couple were also taken to the James Paget to be treated for leg and hip injuries.

Shocked eyewitnesses reported seeing the driver of the silver Ford Focus trying to take a left turn into the car park at Gorleston Baptist Church as he headed towards the town centre.

But he shot past the turning, mounted the pavement and collided with the pedestrians before coming to a rest against the wall of the Bangla Nites Indian restaurant.

A passer by who helped the injured woman said the car had collided with her shortly after she had walked past the entrance to the church car park and it had broken her left leg so badly he could see through to the other side.

He said: “The girl grabbed my hand and was crying. I said 'I can't do anything about it sweetheart.' She was in shock and a lot of pain. There was a massive chunk missing from her lower leg. I cannot see any way they can save it.”

A female passer-by said the elderly couple disappeared underneath the car with the man was left sprawled in the middle of the road, while the woman was lying in an alleyway next to Bangla Nites.

She gave the elderly woman first aid and said she was drifting in and out of consciousness although she was responding to her questions.

Police breathalysed the elderly driver of the Ford Focus, who was believed to be in his 80s, but the readings were negative and he was questioned in the church.

Sgt Dave Cartwright, of Acle road traffic police, said: “This was an appalling incident but it could have been completely catastrophic given how busy Lowestoft Road was at the time.”

A white Ford Escort and blue Ford Cougar were also damaged during the incident.