Police launched an appeal for witnesses today after an elderly Cleckheaton woman was seriously injured in an accident on a pelican crossing.

The busy A650 Manningham Lane was closed for more than three hours following the accident on Saturday.

The pensioner collided with a silver Vauxhall Astra estate as she crossed the busy road close to its junction with Trafalgar Street near the city centre.

The 69-year-old was taken by ambulance to Bradford Royal Infirmary, where she underwent surgery on Saturday afternoon.

Her condition there was described as serious but stable.

Following the accident traffic diversions were set up with Manningham Lane closed for more than three hours - before and during Bradford City's match against Derby County at nearby Valley Parade - while police officers examined the scene.

Chief Inspector Ray Shepherd said: "It caused a lot of disruption, especially for people going to the football, and traffic was queuing all the way back to Saltaire but we're treating it as a very serious accident and had to close the road to preserve the scene.''

He said the car involved in the accident in front of the First Church of Christ the Scientist, Bradford, had been travelling towards the city centre.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "The incident is still under investigation and we are appealing for witnesses.''

Gary Swales, 34, a plumber and heating engineer from Cleckheaton, who was also travelling towards Bradford at the time of the accident, said: "She was flipped up into the air and seemed to land on her head. She looked in quite a bad way.''

Mick Ward, manager of nearby Connaught Carpets, said: "I just heard the sound of a vehicle braking and then a loud bang.

"The injured woman was screaming and didn't seem to be able to move the lower half of her body.

"Somebody got out of another car to go and help her but someone else told them to leave her till the paramedics got there."

l Police are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to call PC Crossley on (01274) 376459.

e-mail: ian.lewis

@bradford.newsquest.co.uk