An elderly woman was airlifted to hospital with serious head injuries after she became trapped under a car in Ludlow.It is believed the woman became trapped after getting out of a Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin Equippe outside Dinham House, at Dinham, which then rolled backwards knocking her underneath at about 1.30pm yesterday.

The County Air Ambulance made an emergency landing in the nearby grounds of Ludlow Castle before the woman, who is in her early 70s and who works at the castle, was flown to Birmingham’s Selly Oak Hospital.

Police spokesman Richard Ewels said: “It’s thought the vehicle may have rolled back coming into collision with the woman and dragging her a short distance down the road.

“She was trapped under the vehicle and released by the fire brigade.”

Chris Kowalik, from the West Midlands Ambulance Service, confirmed that the woman was taken to Selly Oak trauma unit. Her condition is reported this morning as stable and she remains in intensive care.

Ludlow Castle custodian Helen Duce confirmed that the woman was a member of staff at the castle.

She said: “She is poorly but we are hoping for a full recovery.

“She is one of the ladies who works at the castle. All her colleagues are very shocked.

“As her work colleagues and custodian we were very concerned and most upset but very pleased to hear that her injuries are not life threatening. We wish her a speedy recovery.”

Ms Duce said she thought the woman would be in hospital for some time. Her immediate family were at her bedside last night.

“We are so grateful to the air ambulance because speed is of the essence,” added Ms Duce.

She said the air ambulance used the grounds as a designated landing site and they were happy to assist such an essential emergency service.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Ludlow police station on 08457 444888.