AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into a car accident which killed a Hampshire mum.

Karen Hobbs, 37 died when her blue Mercedes was involved in a head-on collision with a red Peugeot 307 in Romsey, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo.

The mother-of-one was driving along Belbins just before 9pm on Saturday when the accident happened.

Her family, including her 15-year-old son, who live in the North Baddesley area, were said to be devastated by the death of the well-known businesswoman, who was a partner of Marques Property Services with her brother Ricky.

Ms Hobbs, of Morgan Le Fay Drive, North Baddesley, had recently overseen the opening of a branch office of the firm in Romsey.

Police closed the junction of Cupernham Lane and Belbins for more than five hours after the accident.

The crash also left the front seat passenger of the Peugeot, a 39-year-old Romsey woman, in a serious condition in Southampton General Hospital.

Traffic police investigating the accident arrested the 39-year-old driver of the Peugeot on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Officers have repeated their appeal for witnesses who saw the accident or the vehicles before the crash to come forward.

They know that at the time of the crash the Peugeot was travelling in Cupernham Lane towards Belbins while the Mercedes was travelling on Belbins towards Brashfield Road.

Anyone with information can contact officers at Roads Policing Unit at Eastleigh quoting Operation Tathra on 0845 045 4545.