A PENSIONER was airlifted to hospital after she was accidentally run over and crushed by a car driven by her husband outside their home.

Elsie Dearden, 69, of Kingston Crescent, Helmshore, was hit by a Rover car driven by her husband Thomas, 72, at 1.50pm yesterday.

Police said the vehicle moved forward and crashed into a Renault Scenic parked on the drive of the house next door. Mrs Dearden was crushed between the two.

Neighbours said she was also trapped under the rear tyres of the vehicle.

Police, fire crew and paramedics were called and Lancashire Air Ambulance airlifted Mrs Dearden to hospital. Crew landed the helicopter on the field behind Helmshore County Primary School in Gregory Fold.

Mrs Dearden was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital with chest and facial injuries and her condition was today described as very poorly. Mr Dearden was treated at the scene of the accident for severe shock.

Insp Steve Baines of Lancashire Police said: "The incident happened on or near the driveway or roadway outside the house.

"It would appear Mr Dearden has driven forward accidentally, knocking his wife onto the bonnet of the car.

"For some reason, the car then accelerated forward and collided with a parked car on an adjacent driveway, crushing Mrs Dearden between the two vehicles."

Neighbour Ken Davey said he was having lunch with wife Janet when he heard an enormous noise.

When he came out of the house Mr Dearden's Rover had ploughed into the back of his Scenic and Mrs Dearden was trapped under the rear tyres.

Mr Davey said: "I can't get the picture out of my head of coming onto the driveway and seeing a woman under my car.

"He must have got his car out for a drive and she has crossed in front of the car and he must have tried to brake but somehow the car has gone forward and she has been thrown onto the bonnet."

Mr Davey said there must have been an enormous impact because the Renault was pushed into garage doors with such force that it damaged three cars inside the garage, including a Rolls-Royce and a Model T Ford.

When neighbours heard the bang they rushed to help Mrs Dearden.

Mr Davey said: "I phoned for an ambulance and about four or five other neighbours lifted the car and pulled Mrs Davey out while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. Everyone around here is shocked."

Police are investigating.