A PENSIONER is fighting for her life after plunging off a bridge onto the road below.

The woman fell onto the notoriously busy A12 dual carriageway.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident which led to all four lanes of the A12 being closed in both directions for more than an hour.

Police and paramedics were called to the northbound carriageway, between junction 26 forStanway and junction 27 at Spring Lane.

Reports were received about a woman standing on the bridge who then fell into the road shortly before 8pm last night.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “We received a call at 8pm.

“Two ambulance crews, an ambulance officer and Essex Air Ambulance attended.

“They treated a woman in her 70s who had suffered serious injuries including a suspected fractured pelvis.

“She was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a life-threatening condition.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were contacted shortly before 8pm to a woman injured on the northbound junction 26 aged in her 70s.

“She was taken to hospital with serious head injuries.

“It is believed she has suffered life changing injuries.”

Police re-opened the road, near the Stanway junction, shortly after 9pm.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Essex Police on 101.