THE mayor of Malvern says pedestrianising a street where six people were hit by a car and one woman was fatally injured may need to be 'reconsidered'.

The woman was in a critical condition in hospital after being struck by a car which mounted the pavement on Church Street in Malvern.

However, she has since died of her injuries, West Mercia Police has confirmed. 

Malvern Gazette: INVESTIGATION: An officer was speaking to witnesses in the aftermath of the crash in Church Street in Malvern INVESTIGATION: An officer was speaking to witnesses in the aftermath of the crash in Church Street in Malvern (Image: Newsquest)

A police officer was taking statements from witnesses in the town this morning (Wednesday).

Laura Monk who works at Parsons Bakery in Church Street described hearing a thump and saw the aftermath of the crash.

"I thought something had fallen over and I came running out. There was an old lady lying here on the pavement, one of our customers who is 88," she said.

The car had knocked over the boards outside Get Connected (the mobile phone shop) and hit the boards outside the bakery. 

She described how an off-duty nurse from Oxford, who was on holiday in Malvern, helped the casualties and said a colleague held a woman's hand after she had been injured.  

Malvern Gazette: INCIDENT: The cordon at the bottom of Church Street in Malvern with two police cars blocking the road INCIDENT: The cordon at the bottom of Church Street in Malvern with two police cars blocking the road (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Worcestershire county councillor Beverley Nielsen, an independent, described what happened as 'a terrible tragedy'.

Cllr Nielsen said: "I would like to send my condolences to the family of the lady who very sadly passed away and my best wishes to all those involved and especially the two others who I understand remain in hospital."

The Malvern Langland councillor said she and others had been lobbying for a 20mph speed limit 'at the very least' on town roads including Church Street, Victoria Road, Albert Road North, Abbey Road and Worcester Road.

Clive Hooper, the Mayor of Malvern, said: "I was horrified to hear news of the incident and my thoughts - and everybody else's I'm sure - will be with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died and those injured in the incident.

"We hope that those who were injured have a speedy recovery. We must now await the result of the police investigation to find out exactly what happened. 

"But it does outline the importance of road safety considerations in the town."

READ MORE: Malvern crash: Woman dies after Church Street car crash

READ MORE: Malvern: Person in serious condition after Church Street crash

Cllr Hooper said Malvern Town Council had been particularly concerned about speeding.

"It may raise the issue again of whether pedestrianisation needs to be reconsidered," he said.

Traffic calming measures had been suggested for Church Street in the past but no action has been taken, he said. 

Malvern Gazette: INJURIES: The cordon in Church Street on the day of the incident INJURIES: The cordon in Church Street on the day of the incident (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Shortly after midday yesterday a red Fiat 500 collided with six pedestrians on the pavement on Church Street in Malvern.

Two of the victims remain in hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the car remained at the scene and is helping with enquiries into the cause of the collision. No arrests have been made at this time.

Sergeant Liam Bennet, who is leading the investigation, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the lady who has died.

“We’re working hard to understand what happened and how the car came to mount the pavement and strike the pedestrians.  While our investigation continues I would ask people to avoid speculating about what happened.”

Anyone who saw the collision or may have dash-cam footage of it is asked to contact Sgt Liam Bennett on liam.bennett@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident number 189i of 8 August.