A WOMAN suffered serious injuries after being knocked down at a “notorious” zebra crossing.

Traders and residents raced to help the woman after she was hit by a silver Vauxhall Astra in Benfleet High Road at about 5.30pm on Monday.

The woman, who is in her 20s and believed to live in the High Road, was rushed to Southend Hospital where she is still recovering.

Residents and traders have raised safety fears about the crossing, which they say is badly lit and too close to the mini roundabout outside Benfleet Tavern. Michael Arnold, owner of Barkins Butchers Ltd, heard the accident and was one of the first on scene to administer emergency first aid.

He said: “I was closing the shutters when I heard this loud bang, which sounded like two cars smashing in to each other.

“I looked out and saw a young woman lying in the road.

“I ran out to her and her ear was full of blood. She was bleeding from her head, so I applied pressure to stop the blood.

“Luckily enough two nurses came past and they took over.

The young woman was very upset and asked me to get her partner from their house which was close by.

“I just hope she is OK.”

The road was shut for about two hours while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Resident Paul Hunter, was at home when he heard the accident and called the ambulance.

He said: “I just looked out and there was a lady in the road.

“I ran down to help and called 999.

“I have lived in a property that overlooks this crossing for nearly two years and I find it unbelievable how many near accidents I have seen.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 17.09 with two rapid response cars, two ambulances, a volunteer doctor and a paramedic officer going to the scene.

“A woman in her 20s suffered leg and shoulder injuries and she was taken to Southend Hospital.

“Her injuries were not lifethreatening.”

A spokesman from Essex Police confirmed they are investigating the incident.