A man in his 70s has been left with potentially life changing injuries after being struck by a truck on Kensington High Street today.

The busy shopping street was thrown into chaos, just before midday, as police taped off large sections of the road, triggering tailbacks.

Emergency crews raced to the scene and treated the injured man in front of horrified shoppers.

Eyewitness and local resident Surachada Bowra described the terrifying moments: “I’d describe him as a well-built white man, who was crossing the road in a hurry.

“It seemed to me that he was trying to beat the lights. As I got closer there was a strong smell of rubber caused by tyres screeching.

“The ambulance arrived and, although he was badly hurt laying near the truck’s front tyres, I saw he was able to move his arms. The police questioned the truck driver for a long time.”

Officers remained at the scene for hours as investigators examined the vehicle and took statements from bystanders.

A Metropolitan police spokesperson told The Citizen: “Police were called to a collision between a lorry and pedestrian on Kensington High Street. Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service. The pedestrian, a man in his 70s, was taken to hospital with potentially life changing injuries.

“No arrests have been made. A number of roads in the area have been closed and drivers are asked to take alternative routes.”

That section of Kensington High Street, in front of the Whole Foods store, is an accident blackspot. Three years ago, 27-year-old Niksan D’Costa was killed after being struck by a car on a nearby pedestrian crossing.