A 25-year-old man was today being questioned after a young woman suffered serious injuries in an incident in a Derby car park.

The 19-year-old woman suffered head injuries in a car park off City Road, in Chester Green, during the early hours of yesterday morning (15).

The woman was in a car with a 19-year-old man, who was also injured, although not seriously.

They said it appeared there had been an incident after they were approached by a man on a pushbike.

Detective Inspector Paul Callum, who is investigating, said police were appealing for witnesses to come forward.

He said the woman remained in a critical condition in the intensive care unit at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.

Det Insp Callum said the couple had been in a car when they were approached by the man on on a push bike.

He said officers were still investigating whether a weapon was used in the incident.

A 25-year-old man from Derby was arrested late last night in connection with the incident. He was this morning in custody awaiting questioning.

Det Insp Callum said: “We think there were two other cars in the car park at the time of the incident. These are an old-style red Vauxhall Astra or Vectra and an old-style Ford Escort.

“We are investigating the incident and I would urge anyone who has witnessed a man on a bike in the vicinity to get in touch with police as soon as possible.

“There are a number of exits to the car park, so this man could have run off in any direction. Any information that members of the public can offer could be useful.”

Det Insp Callum said police were called to City Road at around 1.30am. Yesterday, officers had cordoned-off the car park where the attack took place.

A bridge crossing the River Derwent between Darley Abbey Park and Duke Street was also cordoned while forensic officers searched the area.

People living in the area said they were shocked by the incident.

Danny Thornhill, 27, of City Road, said: “I didn’t see or hear anything last night. I went to bed at about midnight and the first thing I saw was the police next to the car park when I was on my way to football this morning.

“The police have knocked on mine and a few of my neighbours’ doors to ask if we saw anything but I don’t think they did either. It is terrible that someone has been so badly injured like that.”

Sarah Bottomley, 26, also of City Road, said: “I had been out in Derby and got home around 4am but wasn’t aware of any police in the area.

“When something like this happens it makes you feel unsafe where you live.

“I will be taking extra care to make sure that the windows and doors are locked because this is scary.”

Another resident of City Road, who asked not to be named, said: “I got home after midnight but didn’t see anything.

“I wasn’t woken up by any sirens or anything like that either. When I saw the police tape this morning, I just hoped that someone had not been seriously injured.”