A MAN has been airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries after being involved in a collision with a bus.

The incident happened on Hythe Hill and involved a pedestrian and a number 76 First bus just before 10am.

The male pedestrian in his 30s has been flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge by air ambulance, which landed in the road at the bottom of Hythe Hill.

The incident happened near the Church of St Leonard.

The road has now re-opened after being closed for more than four hours.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: "We were called to a road traffic incident on Hythe Hill in Colchester at 9.57 this morning.

"An ambulance and Herts air ambulance attended and treated a man in his 30s with serious injuries to his pelvis.

"He was flown to Addenbrookes Hospital for further care."

A spokesman for First said: "I can confirm a First bus was involved in a road traffic collision in Hythe Hill.

"We believe the person stepped into the road. 

"The driver is obviously shaken by the incident. 

"We are helping emergency services and will undertake a full investigation into the incident." 

The 76 bus was travelling from Colchester to Clacton.

Essex Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

A spokesman said: "The bus, the number 76 operated by First Buses, was carrying a small amount of passengers at the time of the collision.

"Any passengers who have not yet spoken to police are asked to get in touch."

These people or any other witnesses are asked to contact Pc Robert Elvin at the Stanway Road Policing Unit on 101.