A 78-YEAR-OLD woman was left with a head injury after being mugged in broad daylight.

The victim, who asked not to be named, was walking home from the shops through the underpass at the bottom on Victoria Road, Laindon, when she was attacked.

A thug snatched her bag and shoved her to the ground before running off and getting in a waiting car.

Speaking to the Echo, the victim said: “I am just so lucky I was not more seriously hurt.”

The woman was walking home from Lidl at about 2pm when she was targeted.

The mugger approached her from behind, yanked her black leather shoulder bag off her shoulder and pushed her to the ground.

She smacked her head on the side of the underpass as she fell.

The victim managed to stagger to the end of the underpass and flag down a passing car.

The couple inside the vehicle called 999 and stayed with the victim until help arrived. She was checked over by paramedics, but did not need hospital treatment.

The woman added: “I have lived here for 56 years and have always walked through that underpass.

“But I would not walk under there on my own now.

“The couple that found me said they had seen a man run out of the underpass and jump into a waiting car just before I stopped them.

“I had a terrible headache after it happened, but I am fine now. I am very lucky really.”

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information about the mugging which happened on Saturday, April 18 at about 2pm, to contact them at Basildon CID on 101. Alternatively leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.