A WOMAN has been left fighting for life after a car crash on the A35 near Christchurch.

The vehicle she was travelling in hit a pony which died at the scene of the collision.

Hampshire police believe the pony had escaped onto the road through an insecure gate that may have been left open by a member of the public.

Officers were called to the incident near Holmsley at 11.15pm on Wednesday.

A spokesperson said: "We are investigating a serious road traffic collision which occurred on the A35 near Holmsley in the New Forest.

"An 18-year-old teenager is in hospital being treated for life-threatening injuries following the collision.

"Her next of kin have been informed.

"The teenage girl was a passenger in a silver Volkswagen Polo which collided with a New Forest pony. The driver and another passenger were not injured in the incident.

"The New Forest pony died at the scene of the collision."

Road closures were put in place while the incident was dealt with and these were lifted at 5.15am yesterday (THURS).

A spokesman for the South Central Ambulance Service said the woman was taken to Southampton General Hospital, accompanied by a doctor, with severe head and face injuries. The other two females were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

One resident of nearby Forest Lodge said the road is very dangerous and she is always cautious when using the junction with Lyndhurst Road.

"The number of cars that come up the road with no lights on... it's a bad road," she said. "We had a motorbike accident the other week and two crashes with deer because we've got a runway through with deer.

"You have really got to be careful. I daren't to think how many accidents we have had this year. I don't think that road should have overtaking on it. You can see what comes in the opposite direction but people are just totally unaware."

A spokesperson for the New Forest Verderers said two Verderers attended the crash where they found the pony already dead at the scene.

She said: "Our thoughts are all with the young girl fighting for her life and her family at this stage."

Anyone who witnessed this collision should contact the Roads Policing Unit at Totton police station by calling 101 and quoting Operation Plain.