MYSTERY surrounds how an 82-year-old woman suffered multiple injuries as she tried to cross a busy road in Christchurch.

Police are trying to establish how the local woman sustained facial injuries, grazing and an ankle injury and have appealed for help from the public.

They believe she may have received a glancing blow from a vehicle, or possibly fell or fainted, as she tried to cross, near a taxi.

Officers are believed to have received conflicting reports from people at the scene.

The woman was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital after the incident in Christchurch High Street, near the junction with the A35 just after 11am on Thursday. She was discharged after treatment.

PC Mark Palmer of the Dorset Police traffic unit said: “I am appealing for anyone who has information about how the woman came to sustain her injuries and anyone who saw the woman or the nearby taxi prior to her sustaining the injuries, to contact me as soon as possible.

“Christchurch High Street was very busy and I believe that a number of people may be able to help me with this investigation.”

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 22:146 or use the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111. Mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Officers have stressed that calls will be treated in will be treated in confidence.