A 79-year-old woman has been left with serious injuries after a van collided with her mobility scooter.

The pensioner was riding her mobility scooter in Roker Baths Road, Sunderland when the incident occurred.

The pensioner sustained serious injuries in the collision and was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital for treatment.

The van driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Paul Brown, a solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors’ Serious Injuries Team said: “Accidents involving mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs are increasing, especially as many are allowed on UK roads. A mobility scooter is far more vulnerable than a car and also more difficult to see. We have dealt with cases for people both injured by but also, more commonly, injured on scooters”.