An ugly scene ensued after a number of passers-by rounded up on a young driver yesterday evening after hitting a pedestrian in Sliema.

The car was driven by a 19-year-old from Mosta who was accused by passers-by of speeding and hitting the 18-year-old woman, believed to be Russian, in Tower Road, close to The Diplomat Hotel.

The woman was seriously injured and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

Such was the force of impact that the windscreen of the Honda Civic involved in the accident was smashed.

Other people defended the distraught driver until the police arrived on the scene.

The police are investigating.