AN elderly woman has died and a man is in a critical condition following a two-car head-on crash near Wool on Sunday afternoon.

The emergency services were called to the A352 just east of the village, following reports that a blue Ford Fiesta and a white Hyundai i30 had been involved in a crash.

Both the Dorset and Somerset and Devon air ambulances were called to the incident.

Four ambulance vehicles also attended and the two drivers were taken by road to Poole Hospital.

Dorset Police have now clarified the woman is 86-years-old and is from Swanage. 

The rear seat passenger of the Fiesta, a 51-year-old man from Swanage, suffered very serious injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital where he remains in a life threatening condition.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 36-year-old man from Wareham, suffered serious injuries and is receiving treatment at Poole Hospital.

The driver of the Fiesta, a 60-year-old man from Australia, suffered serious spinal injuries and was also taken to Poole Hospital. Both drivers had to be cut free from their vehicles by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.

The A352 remained closed until 8.50pm to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and clear the road.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “At approximately 2.15pm on Sunday, emergency services attended the scene of a two-vehicle collision on the A352 at Hethfelton Hollow, Stokeford, Wool.

“A white Hyundai being driven by a local male, and a blue Ford Fiesta being driven by a male, had collided head-on.

“The drivers of both vehicles had to be extracted by Dorset Fire and Rescue Services and South Western Ambulance Service teams.

“All occupants of the vehicles received medical attention at the scene.

“Sadly, as a result of the impact, the front-seat passenger of the Fiesta, a 86-year-old female, received fatal injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.

“Both drivers were taken to Poole Hospital by land ambulance with serious injuries.

“The rear seat passenger of the Fiesta was airlifted by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

“Next of kin have been informed.

“The road remained closed for several hours to allow collision investigators to examine the scene and clear the debris.”

All of the victims were trapped in their vehicles and had to be freed by firefighters using hydraulic equipment.

The road remained closed until the evening as police carried out their investigations.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision or who saw the vehicles prior to the impact to call 101 quoting incident number 286 of August 16 for the attention of Sergeant 1667 Nikki Burt.