The police are analysing closed circuit television footage of Valley Road, in Msida, to shed light on the discovery of an unconscious woman with blood oozing out of her head.

A policeman stumbled upon the 42-year-old woman as he happened to be passing by at 6.20 a.m.

The police said the woman was from Birkirkara but did not release her name.

She was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital where she was found to be suffering from serious head injuries. Later she took a turn for the worse and her condition was described as critical.

Police sources said investigators were analysing CCTV footage of establishments in the area for clues on what might have caused the woman to be so badly hurt.

They are trying to establish whether she was injured earlier and taken to the spot by someone or if she was hurt while walking or running through the street.

The woman, who came round for a short while, told police she could not remember what happened and could not even recall leaving home in the morning. However, other people who spoke to the police said the woman usually went for a walk early in the morning.

Police sources say it is quite possible there was no foul play involved and the woman lost her footing and hit her head against the pavement.

Duty Magistrate Marse-Ann Farrugia is carrying out an inquiry.