A woman has died and a man is fighting for life after their car crashed into a tree.

The fatal collision on Harts Lane in Wimborne was called into Dorset Police at 2.07pm on Sunday which involved a blue Jaguar.

A 78-year-old woman from Ferndown was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man in his 80s, also from Ferndown, sustained life-threatening injuries.

He has been airlifted to Southampton Hospital.

A road closure was put in place to allow emergency services to deal with the incident.

The road was closed from Colehill Lane to just after God's Blessing Lane.

Officers are in the process of informing next of kin. The coroner has been notified.

Chris Tapley, 54, who lives nearby said: "We heard a bang and I ran over, as did some staff from Stewarts Garden Centre. We were trying to help them.

"I saw a car had crashed into a tree.

"A gentleman at the wheel was conscious while the woman sat next to him was unconscious.

"I suggested to the police that perhaps they should ring the fire service, which they did, because there was smoke coming out of the bonnet of the car.

"The man was able to talk a little bit such as telling me his name, where they were from and that they had just been in Stewarts Garden Centre and were on their way home.

"I stayed with him until the paramedics arrived. You just do what you can in that situation.

"The air ambulance landed in the field opposite. 

"There were four or five police cars, a fire engine and two or three ambulances, as well as the helicopter.

"It is very sad and shocking. It is very sad for both of them.

"We have lived here for two or three years and nothing like this has happened before."

Police Sergeant Rhiannon Stroud, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closure.

“I am appealing for witnesses to the collision and to the manner of driving of the vehicle leading up to the collision to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 28:261.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.