Woman's arm ripped off at the elbow after getting trapped in parked car

Police said she had suffered 'life-changing' injuries

(Getty Images)

A woman's arm has been ripped off by a parked car.

The 78-year-old leant into the vehicle outside a house in Hayle, Cornwall, on Saturday afternoon, and became trapped.

“What appears to have happened is that she leant into the car to close the electric windows," a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said.

”She turned on the ignition to get the power for the electric windows, but unfortunately the car was in gear and lurched forward - trapping her hand or arm.

“In the process of doing that, it has taken her arm off.”

Her arm was severed at the elbow and retrieved by emergency services, who arrived at about four o'clock on Saturday the afternoon.

She was airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where it is hoped that surgeons will be able to reattach her arm.

Police said although the pensioner had suffered “life-changing injuries”, it was hoped she would make a good recovery.