A woman has died after being hit by a car in Costessey in front of witnesses during the busy school run period.

Police were called to Dereham Road, near the junction with Britannia Way, just before 3.30pm on Thursday following reports of a collision between a woman and a brown Volkswagen Passat.

The road was closed while emergency services - including the ambulance service and air ambulance - attended the scene.

The woman, who was aged in her 40s, died at the scene.

The road reopened at 9.30pm.

Sergeant Ben Hawkins said: “This was a traumatic incident for all involved and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who sadly died.

READ MORE: Police presence at Longwater Lane Park in Costessey

“We are aware there was a very large number of people in the area, due to the busy school run, who will have witnessed the collision.

“I would like to thank those members of the public who assisted with first aid before emergency services arrived and those who remained on scene to give their details to officers.

“However, witnessing an incident of this nature is difficult even for trained professionals. I would strongly encourage anyone struggling to process what they saw to seek support and not to suffer in silence.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision and is in need of additional support - or has any relevant information - should contact Norfolk Constabulary by calling 101 or emailing ben.hawkins@norfolk.police.uk and quoting crime reference 36/50610/24.