A woman has died following a crash on the A31 on Friday afternoon.

Hampshire officers were called to Bratley Arch near Stoney Cross, at 3.25pm on Friday, following reports of a two-car collision.

A 39-year-old woman from Stockbridge was driving a silver Toyota MR2 when she was involved in the incident.

She was rushed to Southampton General Hospital but later died from her injuries on Saturday. 

The woman has not been formally identified and her next-of-kin are being notified. The coroner has been informed.

The driver of a black Mitsubishi Mirage was also involved when it collided with the Toyota which was stationary in the nearside lane of the road.

Its 62-year-old female driver, from Ringwood, was also taken to Southampton hospital, but was later discharged.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Totton Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Guard.

Bournemouth Echo:

As previously reported, traffic was at a standstill in both directions for commuters travelling home as the road was closed to make way for the air ambulance which transported the Toyota driver from the scene.

It remained shut for several hours as emergency services carried out investigations.

Part of the central barrier was removed before the crash site and an emergency contraflow put in place, directing westbound traffic down the eastbound carriageway. 

Eastbound traffic was backed up as far as Ashley Heath as vehicles merged to a single lane, reopening to two at the start of the contraflow, commuters said.

A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue said two crews attended.  “The incident involved two private vehicles, one on the highway and one off the highway," the spokesman said.

The westbound carriageway of the A31 was closed for around five hours. 

The road was closed from junction two of the M27 where a diversion was put in place.

The road was re-opened shortly after 8.30pm.