POLICE probing a fatal crash on a Hampshire dual carriageway are trying to discover why the victim’s car was stationary when the collision occurred.

In the latest in a series of tragedies on the A31, a 39-year-old woman from Stockbridge has died following a two-car collision that caused major tailbacks in both directions.

Police say a Mitsubishi Mirage was travelling west on Friday when it collided with a Toyota MR2 that had stopped in the nearside lane.

The Toyota driver was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital but died from her injuries on Saturday.

The Mirage was being driven by a 62-year-old Ringwood woman who was also taken to hospital but was discharged after treatment.

It is not known if the Toyota had broken down or had stopped for some other reason.

Accident investigators will examine the vehicle for any mechanical faults that could have contributed to the tragedy.

In 2008 the driver of a recovery vehicle was killed on the A31 at Poulner Hill, near Ringwood, after being called out to a broken down Peugeot 306. Terry Booth, 58, of Ferndown Road, Dorset, was in the process of recovering the vehicle when it was struck by a Chrysler Voyager.

Recalling the incident, Ringwood councillor Michael Thierry said: “The latest tragedy just emphasises how dangerous the A31 through the Forest is.

"I live within the earshot of local ambulance station and hear them going out. "My mind immediately goes to the A31 because of all the accidents that occur.

"The investigation into the latest crash will needed to examine all elements, including the reason why the car was stationary. That would appear to be a material factor.”

The latest collision took place on the westbound carriageway at Bratley Arch, near Stoney Cross, just before 3.30pm on Friday. As reported in the Daily Echo, the westbound carriageway of the A31 was closed for several hours resulting in long tailbacks that continued throughout the rush-hour.

The fatality is the latest in a spate of serious accidents at Bratley Arch. In July 2013 the westbound carriageway was closed between Stoney Cross and Picket Post after a Mercedes left the road, careered down an embankment and ended up on its roof.

In February last year a man was injured in a four-vehicle crash on the westbound carriageway.

Five months later drivers faced mile-long delays after an accident involving a pick-up truck that was towing a silver Mercedes.Anyone with information about the latest crash should contact Totton Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Guard.