A WOMAN is in a critical condition in hospital after falling from the roof of a multi-storey car park.

Essex Police were called to Southernhay, in Basildon, at about 5.55pm on Monday after a woman was found on the pavement with severe multiple injuries.

The victim was flown to the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, by air ambulance.

Last night Essex Police said she was in a critical, but stable condition.

Police believe the woman sustained her injuries after falling from the top of the Euro car park above Toys R Us.

In the aftermath of the horrific incident, rumours circulating on social media suggesting the woman may have been chased to the top of the car park and threatened with a knife.

Police say they are continuing to investigate the fall.

However, they do not believe the incident is suspicious and are not searching for any suspects.

Roads surrounding the car park were closed for a number of hours on Monday evening while the air ambulance landed and emergency services attended.

Members of the public who found the woman attempted to help her.

Motorists and shoppers spoke of their distress as they passed the scene.

Sarah Cole, 39, from Basildon said: “I was coming out of Asda, and there was a lady lying at the bottom of Toys R Us.

“She was face down with no shoes on. Police had cordoned it off – it was just awful. I hope she is OK and makes a full recovery.”

A man who lives off Southernhay but did not want to be named, said: “It’s really sad for something like this to happen near to your home.

“We saw the air ambulance and the emergency services. There were a lot of them.

“It’s just a very sad thing to happen.”