A student paramedic has been seriously injured after being struck by a car while directing traffic.

The man is believed to have been walking on the B1145 road in Bawsey, near the Sandboy pub, after his ambulance broke down.

He was wearing a high-visibility jacket and directing traffic when he was hit by a blue Vauxhall Mocha, which was travelling in the opposite direction towards King's Lynn.

The man, who has not been named, was airlifted to Addenbrooke's in Cambridge where he is in a serious but stable condition.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and waited while the senior paramedic called the police.

The paramedics were en route to a 999 call in Swaffham, which was not believed to be serious.

A spokesman for the East of England ambulance service said: 'One of our colleagues was struck by a vehicle on the B1145 in Bawsey, whilst on duty.

'He was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, and remains in a serious, but stable condition.

'At this very difficult time, our thoughts and support are with and directed towards our colleague, his loved ones and other work colleagues.'

An investigation has been launched by police following the crash, which happened around 4.10pm on Friday, January 8.

The road was blocked while the emergency services attended and was reopened shortly before 10pm.

The man was airlifted to hospital by the Magpas air ambulance team.

A Magpas spokesman said: 'A doctor and paramedic were flown by helicopter to the scene, and assessed a man who had sustained multiple injuries.

'The man was anaesthetised and the team provided specialist A&E care, before he was flown to hospital. On arrival at the hospital the patient was in a serious condition.'

Matt Broad, the ambulance service's assistant chief officer for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, said the paramedic's family had travelled down from Yorkshire to be by his side.

He added: 'We are supporting the family at this difficult time, as well as our members of staff who are clearly distraught.'

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information concerning the driving manner of the vehicle or actions of the paramedic prior to the collision.

Witnesses should call the serious collision investigation team on 101.