AN 81-year-old woman has died after losing control of her car and smashing through a garden wall.

She had been driving down Chalk Hill, West End when her blue Toyota Aygo careered into a brick wall.

Residents have been left shocked and described hearing a huge bang following the incident which happened at around 8am on Tuesday.

June and Anthony Atkinson reported being barely awake when they heard a crashing noise outside their home.

They rushed outside to see a car had collided with their garden wall leaving bricks strewn everywhere.

After seeing billowing smoke and an unconscious elderly woman inside they alerted emergency services.

The couple - along with passersby - pulled the elderly woman to safety, and with guidance from a 999 operator gave her CPR on their lawn.

The pensioner was rushed to Southampton General Hospital for treatment where she later died.

Chalk Hill remained closed for most of Tuesday morning while police investigated the cause of the crash.

Anthony Atkinson, 75, said: "We heard a bang at around 8am. I didn't know what it was. There was a car out front and smoking coming out. We phoned emergency services. We released the woman's car seat so we could get her out.

"The car was destroyed – it was a write-off.

"The woman was unconscious and some women helped give her CPR."

Hampshire police have now launched a witness appeal to help their investigation surrounding yesterday's incident.

A police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for witnesses and information after an 81-year-old woman died following a road traffic collision in Chalk Hill, Southampton.

"The incident happened at 8.40am on Monday, January 13.

"The woman was driving a blue Toyota Aygo in Chalk Hill when it was in collision with the garden wall of a property.

"The victim was taken to Southampton General Hospital but sadly died.

"Were you in the vicinity at the time? Did you witness the incident?

"If you have any information, CCTV or dashcam footage, please get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference 44200015032."