The leg of a first year student at the University of the Free State was severed in an accident when she was hit by a speeding vehicle in Bloemfontein, the Volksblad newspaper reported on Monday.

Hanje Pistorius (19), a first-year medical student, was hit by a red BMW on Saturday in Curie Avenue, the report said.

The impact severed her left leg just above the knee.

The driver of the BMW raced away from the scene but was apprehended shortly afterwards by a security company employee.

Pistorius and fellow students were fund-raising in front of the Hi-Fi Corporation in Curie Avenue on Saturday morning.

The report said she apparently tried to cross the road when the BMW hit her at high speed.

Doctors later unsuccessfully tried to re-attach Pistorius's leg at the Life-Rosepark hospital.

Free State police spokesperson Superintendent Annelie Wrensch said the driver was arrested and handed over to police.

Blood samples were taken to determine his blood-alcohol level and he was expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday.