A FATAL collision in Petersfield between a pedestrian and a lorry has been described by one witness as “horrendous.”

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on Tuesday, January 26, at the pelican crossing in Dragon Street, just yards from its junction with High Street, College Street and Heath Road.

Police, fire and ambulance services were called at about 2pm. Witnesses to the shocking scenes said a man, they thought was a doctor, had tried to save the woman.

As soon as police officers arrived, they asked shops around the crash site to draw the blinds on windows overlooking the scene.

Fire tenders were parked so that the pelican crossing was hidden from view.

Shocked pedestrians were asked not to take pictures with mobile phones. Nearby roads were cordoned off and shut, and diversions put in place. A group of youngsters were comforted by a police officer, and at about 3.15pm a police spokesman confirmed the woman was dead.

One witness said the victim looked to be a “little lady.”

Afterwards a lorry, designed to move earth, remained parked just past the crossing, facing south, until around 6.45pm, when it was taken away on a recovery lorry.

Another witness said the victim appeared elderly, and was carrying an umbrella.

Yet another told the Post: “It was horrendous, I couldn’t look, and now I can’t stop shaking.

“I think it killed her outright. I feel so sad for her family, and my sympathies are with the police – this can’t be very nice for them.”

A police spokesman said: “Officers were called at 1.57pm to a collision involving a lorry and a pedestrian. Sadly, the female pedestrian was dead at the scene.”

Police are appealing for witnesses who might not have yet spoken to officers, to call 101, quoting Operation Security.