A motorcyclist was heard revving his engine moments before crashing into a pensioner who then died of her injuries, witnesses claim.

The 73-year-old woman, who has not been named, was hit by the vehicle in High Road, Leyton, at the junction with Adelaide Road, at around 4.45pm yesterday.

She was rushed to the Royal London Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

Her next of kin have been informed.

The motorcyclist, a 28-year-old man from Stratford, was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone but his wounds are not thought to be life-threatening.

He has been arrested by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Shopkeepers in the area believe the woman had just got off a bus and was attempting to cross the road when she was hit.

There are unconfirmed reports that the pensioner's daughter and grandchildren came to the scene and comforted her as she lay dying.

Police say she lived in the E11 postcode, which covers Leytonstone and Wanstead, and she is thought to be of Somali descent.

Ulus Iskender, 34, is the manager of Leyton Mini Market next to the scene of the crash.

He told the Guardian: "I was on the till when it happened. I heard this really loud revving sound and I tried to look out, so did all the customers.

"A second later I heard a bang. At first I thought he'd crashed into a bus, it was so loud.

"We've had quite a few crashes recently. I think last Thursday a cyclist was hit by a car and ended up on the windscreen. Luckily they weren't too badly hurt.

"There used to be a pedestrian traffic island there but it was removed when Waltham Forest Council did up the High Road for the Olympics.

"They need to bring it back because a lot of people who use the bus stop cross there. It could help save lives".

Mark Sivell, 48, works at Spencers property lettings opposite the scene.

He said: "I looked up after hearing a bang and saw the motorcyclist in the air and the bike skidding along the ground.

"A lot of people said he was going quite fast when it happened.

"Everyone was very upset".

Arif Bung, 46, owner of Balckwell's newsagent, also called on the council to consider introducing road safety measures in the road.

He said: "I went out after hearing the bang and saw the motorcyclist get up.

"The woman was lying still on the ground and the man started to stagger towards her.

"He went up to look at her and then fell to the ground.

"You could tell he was badly hurt but the woman wasn't even moving".

Sunail Khan, 26, a member of staff at Nana Yaa Supermarket, also witnessed the aftermath.

He said: "Everyone heard this big bang and then we saw the woman lying in the road.

"It was very upsetting and a lot of people were crying."

The section of the road was closed by police for much of the evening.

It was reopened just after 9.30pm.

The Met spokeswoman said: "The investigation continues."