A HAMPSHIRE woman has died in a head-on crash which left five others seriously injured.

Police were called at 4.10pm on Wednesday to reports that two cars had collided on the A31 at Lake Gates, in Wimborne.

On Thursday morning, Dorset Police confirmed the female driver of the Fiesta, who sadly died at the scene, was a 49-year-old woman from Ringwood.

The front seat passenger of the Fiesta, an 18-year-old Ringwood woman was taken to Poole Hospital with serious injuries.

The rear seat passengers of Fiesta - a 19-year-old Alderholt man and a 16-year-old Ringwood man - are both are being treated at Southampton Hospital with very serious injuries.

They were both airlifted to hospital.

The driver of BMW, a 24-year-old Dorchester man, and the front seat passenger, a 21-year-old Dorchester man- are both being treated at Poole Hospital with serious injuries.

Daily Echo:

Speaking to the Daily Echo at the scene on Wednesday evening, Insp Matt Butler of Dorset Police said that the collision had been head-on.

Inspector Butler said: "We are investigating this particularly tragic collision.

"I'm appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicles in the run up to the collision, or the collision itself, to get in touch on 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."

He added: “I appreciate the road closures have caused considerable congestion in the area and I would like to thank motorists for their patience.”

A major emergency response saw both the Dorset and Somerset and Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulances, police officers and medics, fire crews and land ambulances all called to the scene.

Speaking as the drama unfolded, a spokesman for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: "I can confirm that we have crews from Wimborne, Redhill Park and Poole attending the road traffic collision on the A31 at Lake Gates.

"We were called to the incident at 4.16pm.

"We are assisting the ambulance service and using hydraulic rescue equipment to release trapped casualties."

There were major delays as a result of the crash, with motorists urged to avoid the area.

The road was closed between the Merley and Lake Gates roundabouts.