WITNESSES to a collision in Queens Drive yesterday morning, which left a 91-year-old man fighting for his life, are being asked to come forward by police.

The elderly man remains in a serious condition in intensive care today with head injuries after he was knocked down by a blue Ford Focus at the pedestrian crossing near the junctions with Windsor Road and Wolsely Avenue shortly after 9.15am.

Wiltshire Police were swiftly on the scene, along with an ambulance, which transported the man to Great Western Hospital for urgent care for what have been described by authorities as life-threatening injuries.

The driver, who was not injured, remained on the scene to speak to officers and assisted them with their enquiries. He was not arrested yesterday, but continues to help police with their enquiries.

Queens Drive was closed in both directions while police cordoned off the scene, before the southbound carriageway was openedshortly afterwards.

The northbound carriageway remained closed between Windsor Road and Coate Water for four hours, with motorists permitted access from 1.15pm.

Police are still piecing together information to establish what happened. With marks on the road, evidence scattered across the road and accounts from the driver and witnesses, the full picture is not yet clear.

Lights at the pedestrian crossing were working at the time of the collision.

PC Peter Williamson, of the serious collision investigation team at Wiltshire Police, said: “There hasn’t been much of a development this afternoon following the incident.

“We are appealing for more witnesses to come forward. We will be speaking to the witnesses we do know about and then look at the positions of vehicles in the road, as well as any marks. That process can take some time.”

The casualty received first aid from passers-by until paramedics arrived.

A fleece belonging to one of those who helped the man remained in the road while police assessed the incident site, along with a cake which had been carried by the victim. It lay splattered across the road as police marked out evidence.

“Obviously it was someone’s birthday,” said Sergeant Steve Love, of the roads policing unit at Wiltshire Police.

“A couple of members of the public did stop to administer first aid.”

The family of the stricken elderly man have been told of his condition.

Sgt Love said: “All we know at the moment is the pedestrian was on the crossing when the collision with a blue Ford Focus took place.

“The elderly man has suffered serious head injuries, which are considered life threatening.”

Witnesses are asked to call Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.