A MOTHER has died and her eight-year-old daughter has been airlifted to hospital in a critical condition after a crash on the A35 Upton Bypass in Poole.

The woman, 28, who lived locally, was at the wheel of a silver Vauxhall Astra that left the road just before the Baker's Arms roundabout and landed in a ditch on Friday evening. She died at the scene of the collision.

Her daughter sustained very serious injuries and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital. A statement from Dorset Police said her condition is described as critical. Their family has been informed.

Police were called at 8.50pm to reports of the single vehicle collision on the westbound carriageway of the A35.

Both the eastbound and westbound carriageways have been closed between the Holes Bay and Baker’s Arms roundabouts. 

Police Sergeant Sarah Jones, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with their family at this very difficult time.

“We are carrying out a full and thorough investigation into this collision and I am keen to hear from anyone who was travelling along this stretch of the dual carriageway at the relevant time and witnessed the collision or the Astra being driven immediately before. 

“I would also urge any motorists with dashcams fitted in their vehicles to please check their systems to see if they have any footage that may be relevant to my investigation.

“We closed this road to allow emergency services to treat those involved and for collision investigators to establish what happened. I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 3:418. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.