A features editor on a weekly newspaper is in intensive care in hospital after being hit by a car last night.

Surrey Comet features editor June Sampson suffered what police are calling “life threatening” injuries in the accident in Kingston.

June, who has worked for the paper for 39 years, was returning home from the office when the incident occurred.

The 80-year-old suffered pelvic injuries, broken bones in her legs, and a severe head injury with a bleed on the brain.

Paramedics from London Air Ambulance were called to Galsworthy Road after the accident which happened just before 7pm.

Police told June’s husband Hilton Tims she was on or near a zebra crossing when she was hit.

Mr Tims told the Comet: “I was told she was hit by someone turning out of the hospital. The police told me and they said whoever it was was traumatised.

“We have called this morning and she had a restful night and they say her blood count is going down which is a good thing.

“She’s still unconscious. They are going to operate today and they thought they would leave her asleep and unconscious before they operate. We are just hoping.”

A spokeswoman from London Ambulance said: “Staff treated one adult female for chest and leg injuries and she was taken as a priority to St George’s major trauma centre by the medics from the air ambulance who came by car.”