A WOMAN is continuing to fight for her life after a horrifying double shooting in Southend.

A man who was also injured in the incident has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is still being quizzed by police/

Witnesses reported hearing “five or six gunshots” following screaming and shouting in a flat just off Sutton Road, Southend on Sunday evening.

Dozens of police officers rushed to the scene and closed the busy road after a man and a woman suffered life threatening injuries from suspected gunshot wounds.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance dispatched a helicopter to the incident, which landed in the Victory sports ground nearby.

Witnesses also reported the police helicopter hovering above the scene.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A man has been arrested following a shooting incident in Southend.

“Police and the ambulance service were called to an address in Sutton Road shortly after 7.20pm on Sunday.

“A 40-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were found with life-threatening facial injuries.

“They are believed to have been shot and are receiving medical treatment.

“The woman remains in hospital in a critical condition.

“The man, who was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with this incident, has been discharged from hospital and remains in police custody for questioning.

“They are known to each other and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us immediately.”

The police spokesman added that the man had been arrested on suspicion of murder due to the “serious nature of the woman’s injuries and her critical condition”

but confirmed she is still fighting for life.

A spokesman for the force added: “Officers and ambulance staff that attended the incident found her unresponsive and gave immediate CPR.”

The road was closed off and a large cordon was put in place while an investigation was launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

A senior officer has commended his team for their efforts on scene.

Supt Jonathan Baldwin said: “Courage and resilience shown by eight officers at the horrendous scene of the Southend shooting on Sunday night.

“This included dealing with the incident and the aftermath including giving first aid to the victim.”

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance service said: “We sent the hazardous area response team (HART), three ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to the scene.

“The two people were taken to hospital in a critical condition.”

A police guard remained at the scene outside a block of flats in Oakhurst Road yesterday morning.

Residents in the area have been left stunned by the commotion which unfolded.

One man, who lives in a neighbouring block of flats and has asked not to be named, said: “The woman in question that was shot lives in one of the upstairs flats alone I believe.

“But anybody can just walk up to the flats because they’re open hallways - they should be made more secure.

“It’s such a terrible thing to have happened - so extreme - but I am not surprised at all.

“We have had a lot of problems round here for years and it seems to just be getting worse. I was fortunate enough to be out at the time, but my friends were ringing me dozens of times to check on me because they knew what was going on.”

Anyone with information which could help the investigation is asked to contact the South Major Crime Team on 101 or email scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk Alternatively, if you have information but would like to remain anonymous, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org/giveinformation