A NEIGHBOUR has told of her desperate attempt to aid a young woman after she was hit by a car in Southampton yesterday morning.

The woman, aged in her 20s, suffered serious injuries after the incident in Bullar Road, Bitterne, which took place at around 5.40am this morning.

Police closed the road for several hours to investigate while the victim was rushed to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Laura Wynter, who lives opposite to where the crash happened, told the Daily Echo she ran into the road dressed in her pyjamas in an effort to give first aid to the stricken woman.

She said she heard a thud followed by girls screaming and a shout of “she’s not breathing”.

When she got to the scene, the woman was breathing, but although conscious she was not talking and was just crying.

She recognised her as one of her neighbours who lives across the road.

Laura, 25, a mum-of-one, said: "It was scary and to be honest I just think I was in shock.

Daily Echo:

"I heard a thud and didn't think anything of it but then I heard the screaming and when I looked at my clock, I realised it was too early to be schoolchildren.

"I'm trained in CPR so when I heard her friend screaming that she wasn't breathing, I didn't think, I just ran out to help.

"Her friend was hysterical, saying that the car had come round the corner and hit her head on, throwing her up over the bonnet and over the roof, before she landed on the ground.

"Her boyfriend was on the phone to the ambulance and making sure she was in the right position, while another neighbour came out with blankets.

"I couldn't see any obvious injury until the paramedics cut off her clothing and there was extensive bruising around her stomach area. I just hope she is ok."

The driver of the car - a silver Vauxhall Zafira - has been questioned by police over the crash.

Shortly after 8am, workers from Balfour Beatty arrived on the scene to erect barriers to replace the tape police had used to close the road off.

Police reopened the road around 9.30am.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary quoting Operation Coin on 101.