A WOMAN remains in a 'stable' condition in hospital today (July 2) after suffering serious head injuries when she was struck by a double decker bus in York city centre.

North Yorkshire Police said the accident happened just after 9pm on Saturday outside the Missoula restaurant in Bridge Street, near Ouse Bridge, when the woman was believed to have stepped out in front of the bus.

A spokesman said the 26-year-old woman, from the Oldham area, sustained a serious head injury and was treated at the scene by paramedics before going by ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary.

He said traffic and pedestrian closures were put in place in the Ouse Bridge and Micklegate areas for about four and half hours while officers from the Roads Policing Group and Forensic Collision Investigation Unit conducted inquiries.

"Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room," he said. "Please quote reference number 12180117552."

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that the woman is in a stable condition today and that police inquiries are ongoing.

Eyewitness Elizabeth Skelland has posted on Facebook that she was on the bus with her mother when the accident happened.

"It had just set off from Low Ousegate," she said. "We were upstairs so didn’t see it but heard the noise and the bus was shaking. She wasn’t moving. Fingers crossed she’ll be ok."

Another person, Helen Plant, said she was on the bus half an hour beforehand and 'the amount of people the driver had to brake for or beep his horn to as they were on the road or stepped out was unreal.'

Tammy Wilma Varley posted that she cycled home at 7pm on Saturday and nearly hit four people on Lendal Bridge who stepped out in front of her into the road, adding: "Thank God my brakes are good."

The city centre was packed with revellers on Saturday night, including many stag and hen parties and large numbers of people who had attended the race meeting and Paloma Faith concert at York Racecourse.