A man has been arrested after an elderly woman was struck by a van on Carshalton High Street.

Emergency services were called to reports of a crash shortly before 10 am on Tuesday ( August 10 ).

Officers and paramedics rushed to the scene and found a woman, believed to be in her 80s, unconscious.

It has since been confirmed that she has been hospitalised with serious injuries.

The driver of the van has been arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

Your Local Guardian: LAS were called to a crash in Carshalton LAS were called to a crash in Carshalton

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 9:52am yesterday to reports of a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian.

"We sent two ambulance crews, an emergency responder crew and a medic in a car to the scene. We also dispatched London's Air Ambulance.

"A woman was treated at the scene and taken to a major trauma centre."

A spokesperson for Met Police said: "Police were called at approximately 09.54hrs to reports of a road traffic collision between a pedestrian and a van.

Officers and LAS attended and found a woman, believed aged in her 80s, who was unconscious.

"She was taken to hospital for treatment where her injuries are believed to be life threatening.

"Road closures were put in place in both directions on Carshalton Road and North Street while the incident was dealt with.

"A 30-year-old man – the driver of the van - was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug driving and driving without due care and attention.

"He remains in custody at a police station in south London.

"Enquiries into the circumstances continue."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 1904/10Aug.