A man who was flown to hospital with serious injuries following an incident outside a pub near Chelmsford was actually hit by a car, according to an eyewitness.

The incident took place in the side car park of The Black Bull pub, in Margaretting, at around 9.30pm yesterday (July 15).

Emergency services rushed to the scene to treat a man who had been injured in what was initially thought to be a car crash.

Police were forced to close off a long stretch of Main Road to allow an air ambulance to land.

The road remained shut for several hours while officers conducted their investigations.

The victim, who is believed to be aged either in his 30s or 40s, was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

This morning (July 16), a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Trust confirmed the man remains in a life-threatening condition having suffered a serious head injury.

Police have since arrested two people in connection with the incident.

A 29-year-old man from Brentwood was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and on suspicion of drug driving.

A 28-year-old woman from Chelmsford was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs. 

They remain in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Chelmsford CID on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.