A WOMAN died in a head-on crash on the A31 near Wimborne on Wednesday afternoon.

Five other people were seriously injured in the collision, with two of them being airlifted to hospital.

Dorset Police was called at 4.10pm on Wednesday to reports that two cars had collided on the A31 at Lake Gates.

On Thursday morning, Dorset Police confirmed the female driver of the Fiesta, who sadly died at the scene, was a 49-year-old woman from Ringwood.

The front seat passenger of the Fiesta, an 18-year-old Ringwood woman was taken to Poole Hospital with serious injuries.

The rear seat passengers of the Fiesta - a 19-year-old Alderholt man and a 16-year-old Ringwood man - are both are being treated at Southampton Hospital with very serious injuries.

They were both airlifted to hospital.

The driver of the BMW, a 24-year-old Dorchester man, and the front seat passenger, a 21-year-old Dorchester man- are both being treated at Poole Hospital with serious injuries.

Speaking to the Daily Echo at the scene on Wednesday evening, Insp Matt Butler of Dorset Police said that the collision had been head-on.

Inspector Butler said: "We are investigating this particularly tragic collision.

"I'm appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicles in the run up to the collision, or the collision itself, to get in touch on 101, or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111."

He added: “I appreciate the road closures have caused considerable congestion in the area and I would like to thank motorists for their patience.”

A major emergency response saw both the Dorset and Somerset and Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulances, police officers and medics, fire crews and land ambulances all called to the scene.

There were major delays as a result of the crash, with motorists urged to avoid the area.

The road was closed for several hours between the Merley and Lake Gates roundabouts.

Please note: comments have been left open on this story to allow people to express their condolences. Please do not use them to make assumptions about the accident, or use the story as a platform to express your views about driving, speed limits, or the state of Dorset's roads. Anyone who repeatedly ignores this request will find their account suspended.