AN investigation has been launched after a teenager died in an early morning road crash at Bransgore today.

The 19-year-old suffered fatal injuries after his Ford Focus ploughed into a phone mast at Burley Road at around 12.36 am.

It is thought that the deceased, who was freed from the wreckage by New Milton firefighters, was travelling in the direction of Winkton when he lost control of his vehicle. He was certified dead at the scene.

A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: “He lost control for reasons which have yet to be established. We are not yet in a position to identify him but he is from the Bournemouth area.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the crash or anyone who saw the vehicle shortly prior to the collision to contact Totton Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Jabiru.

Burley Road was shut both ways between Hill Lane and Westbury Close and Ringwood Road following the crash. The road re-opened at around 7 am.

The accident happened near Colbourne Close, just metres from Bransgore Village Hall.

Workmen from Hampshire County Council were on the scene this morning along with collision investigators.

Residents in Bransgore spoke of their shock after waking to hear news of the tragedy.

Grandmother Edna Prince, 73, who walked past the crash scene on her way to pick up her grandson Oliver from the village hall, said: “It’s so sad that such a young life has been lost.

“The accident happened on a straight section of the road within the 30 mph speed limit; I didn’t know anything about it until the signs appealing for witnesses were put up.”

The retired secretary added: “We have lived on the other side of the village for six years and I’ve never known of another accident at this spot. A young cyclist lost his life further down the road,  at the crossroads, a few years ago.”

The crash happened a short distance away from the Carpenters Arms public house. Licensee Lynn Houghton said: “We live on the premises and didn’t hear or see a thing. It’s horrible; so tragic. The first thing we know about what had happened was when we saw the news this morning.”

A woman returning to her car after a table-tennis session at the village hall said: “This is the first I’ve heard of a fatal crash; it’s shocking. The signs must only have gone up; they weren’t there when I drove past earlier.”

And a dog walker returning to her vehicle in the village hall car-park, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I hadn’t heard of any accident and I live in the village. It’s terribly sad to hear that a young man has died so tragically.”

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