An elderly man was left fighting for his life last night after a crash on the A31.

Two air ambulances were called following the collision on the eastbound carriageway near Stoney cross just after 3.30pm.

A 70-year-old man was taken to Southampton general hospital, believed to have involved two vehicles.

A spokesperson from south central ambulance service (SCAS) said: “We sent two ambulances, an officer and both air ambulances to the scene. The male aged 70 had sustained serious potentially life-threatening upper abdominal and chest injuries.

“The female aged 50 had sustained a back injury, not believed to be serious or life-threatening."

Both lanes were closed from the Ringwood junction while emergency services dealt with the incident, with three miles of traffic building up because of the crash.

The SCAS spokesperson added: “Both of the patients were taken to Southampton general by road with the doctor from one of the air ambulances travelling in the ambulance with the male patient.

“The driver of the car that lost control, a male, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.”

It is believed one car was parked on a slip road near the Esso garage when the two occupants got out of the car.

They were then involved in the crash with a second car that had come off the carriageway.

The traffic build up extended onto the westbound carriageway of the A31 due to rubberneckers.