A shocked eye witness today described the dramatic aftermath of an accident on a major Norwich route which has left one man with serious injuries.

George Shotton told how he and his partner ran to rushed over to help the victim, who was lying in the middle of the road, and to try to help him until the emergency services arrived.

The pair had been walking along Magdalen Road when they heard a vehicle's tyres hit the curb behind them. As they turned, they saw a van and a man lying face down in the street, close to the junction with Knowsley Road.

While another bystander dialled 999, the pair went to the middle of the road to help the man.

Mr Shotton, 21, said: 'We thought the van's tyre had exploded because we could see something underneath the vehicle. But when we saw there was a man in the middle of the road we just freaked out.

'My girlfriend's first instinct was to go over and help. I was in shock, to be honest. We rushed over to him and it was just awful.

'We are just so grateful that emergency services got here so quickly. It was the worst thing I have ever seen.'

Emergency services were called to the scene, just outside the Stanley Arms, shortly after 9.50pm on Monday night.

The road remained closed for several hours, while an investigation began.

The victim, who is thought to be in his 40s, suffered serious head and chest injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital. Last night, he was in a serious but stable condition.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident. A spokesman said officers had talked to the driver of the vehicle at the scene, and no arrests have been made.

It is understood that the man was hit by a grey Vauxhall Vivaro.

Police blocked off Magdalen Road for most of the evening between the Artichoke Pub and the traffic lights at the Sprowston Road junction.

At one point six police cars and an ambulance car were at the scene, together with the collision investigation unit.

John Andrews, 66, of Shipstone Road, said: 'I heard a thump and took no notice of it because the pub door is always thumping and banging.

'But then I saw flashing lights and there was a chap lying face down in the road and not moving.

'I didn't know what had happened or what was going on. I just kept myself to myself and let the ambulance people do their job and hopefully save the bloke.'

Anyone who witnessed the collision should contact Sgt Mark Barney at Acle Roads Policing, on 101.