A VAN driver has been bailed until April 16 following a crash in Woodstock that left a young woman with serious head injuries.

The 21-year-old was hit by the 18-year-old driver of the white van on the A44 Oxford Street near Brook Hill at about 8.45am.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, closing the road as the woman was treated before being taken to hospital.

The van could be seen on the side of the road as crash scene investigators scoured the road for evidence.

Hannah Jones, spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police, said a man has since been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Residents say they were left “shocked” by the aftermath of the collision, which caused major traffic delays through Woodstock.

Jim Tyler, 44, from Hensington Road, said: “I was walking along the road at about 9.10am and there were several ambulances and police cars.

“From what I could see, she’s very lucky to be alive.”

Another witness Alun Huckle, 49, from Woodstock said: “There was a young woman lying in the road when I came round the corner at about 9am.

“I was quickly ushered away but it looked really nasty .”

Woodstock resident Joan Clarke, 77, said she found the crash “frightening” and said lower speed limits should be implemented in the area.

She said: “All I really saw was the flashing lights but it was all rather scary.

“The trouble is people can drive far too fast down these roads when they’re too winding for that.

“Perhaps more restrictions should be put in place.

“But the police and ambulance service did a great job of handling it all.”

Michelle Archer, spokeswoman for South and Central Ambulance Service, said the woman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington, where she is currently being treated, but her injuries were not life-threatening.

The crash meant Oxford Street was shut for more than three hours, causing tailbacks through the town until about midday.

An employee at the Kings Arms pub said Woodstock was left “at a standstill” at certain points of the morning.

Stagecoach also announced it was not running bus services through, to or from the town, due to a “major” incident.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses of the crash, which involved a Renault Kangoo van.

Sgt Keith Rayner, from the roads policing unit, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision or who saw the van travelling prior to the collision. If you have any information which could help the investigation please contact police.”

* Anyone with information can contact 101 quoting URN 252 15/2.