A MUM-TO-BE was left fighting for her life after being mown down by a car while trying to stop suspected criminals fleeing from her off-licence.

The woman, who is about five months pregnant, was run over outside the Turnpike Off-licence, in London Road, Leigh.

It is believed a group of men had tried to use a fake bank card before fleeing from the premises at about 5pm on Monday.

The woman, aged in her 30s, suffered serious injuries to her head and face after being hit by a grey Volkswagen Golf used as a getaway car.

The woman has a young son, and is believed to run the shop with her husband. She also suffered internal injuries, but her baby is believed to be unharmed.

An ambulance was on the scene within six minutes and the woman was taken to Southend Hospital where police described her condition as “life-threatening”.

Appealing for witnesses, Det Insp Stuart Truss said: “The shop was very busy at that time of day and there were also a lot of people in the area who may have seen what happened.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or has any other information about it, to come forward and contact us.”

Lee Papworth, who lives in London Road opposite the shop, saw the aftermath of the horrific incident.

The 49-year-old said: “It looked really bad.

“The lady was lying on the ground and paramedics were treating her with an oxygen mask and an IV drip. Presumably they were checking the baby was ok too.

“I think an off-duty nurse had stopped to help because I could see her uniform. Then they loaded her into an ambulance and she was taken to hospital.

“I can’t imagine why anyone would want to inflict this on somebody for a bit of cash or a petty scam? It’s just awful.

“I’ve been in a few times since they took over about six months ago. She is a really lovely lady.”

A man who was driving home to Hadleigh and has asked not to be named, said: “It was at the crossroad where you can turn down Eastwood Road and Westleigh Avenue.

“The police had a big cordon around where the off licence area is on the left if your heading westbound on the London Road.

“The London Road , towards Hadleigh, was shut off and there was six or seven marked police cars either parked or patrolling the area and a big police truck thing parked next to the cordon.”

Donna Goold, 33, who lives nearby, was celebrating her son’s birthday when she heard the sirens. She said: “We were in my garden.

“My sister saw a police car pull up outside mine so we went to have a look and saw all the police cars and the shop taped off.

“I did not see anything happen or the ambulance come and go so we must have just missed it.

“I just wish there was more I could say or do to help, i really hope she makes a full recovery and her family are ok and are getting support. We did offer and ask if the family needed anything or if we could help in any way, but they said they were ok.

“My thoughts go out to them. It must have been an awful thing for their child to see.”

Tony Collins, who works at West Leigh Junior School just minutes from the off licence, said: “All I really saw was police cars blocking the London Road and policemen hovering around.

“A bit later a forensic van was parked outside the turnpike off licence. 
“I never really go in there but I hope the woman is OK.”

A 25 year-old man was arrested at an address in London in the early hours of yesterday morning on suspicion of dangerous driving, assault, fraud by false representation and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

He ia currently in custody in Southend.

An Essex Police spokesman initially described the incident as a robbery, but later said he could not “confirm or deny” whether police are looking for anyone else.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident 707 of 27/03 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.