TOWN centre workers have described the moment they heard the collision that killed a pensioner this week.

An 80-year-old-woman died after a Vauxhall Vivaro van collided with her in College Street, just after 5pm on Monday evening.

Emergency services attended College Street but were unable to save the woman's life and she died at the scene from serious head and leg injuries.

The fatal collision on the corner of College and Sanford Street was overheard by employees in the area.

Manager at Regent Street’s Game store, Paul Coles said the staff were alerted by a “horrifying” noise from outside the shop.

“It was near closing time and there was this massive bang that was out of the ordinary. It was really frightening.

“We heard a screeching of brakes and a commotion outside with lots of people running past. I couldn’t believe it when I found out what had happened.”

A fellow town centre employee,who did not wish to be named said the incident had distressed him.

“We were near closing time and we heard a huge,almost screeching from outside, you knew it was more than a car backfiring. It was scary to hear. Now I know what happened, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Wiltshire Police attended College Street and closed the road for four hours to gather evidence at the scene.

They are now appealing for witnesses to the fatal collision.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “An 80 year old woman died at the scene of a road traffic collision yesterday evening (4 January 2016) in Swindon town centre.

"Officers attended the serious collision in College Street, involving a white Vauxhall Vivaro van and the female pedestrian from Swindon.

We received a call to the incident at 5.08pm and the road was closed to allow for a full investigation to be carried out at the scene. It re-opened at just before 9.00pm

“If you witnessed the collision, we would like to hear from you. Please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously if preferred.