POLICE closed the B3400 near Overton in both directions for several hours on Sunday evening after a fatal road traffic accident at Rotten Hill, Laverstoke at around 7.40pm.

A female passenger travelling in a silver coloured Peugeot 306 was declared dead at the scene while the driver was taken to the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke suffering from serious injuries.

While police have contacted next of kin formal identification will not take place until Tuesday.

The vehicle ended up in a wooded area and 16 firefighters from Whitchurch, Overton and Basingstoke, as well as the ambulance service, attended the scene.

Police have launched operation Scat.

Inspector Phil Jones of Hampshire police said: “Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the Peugeot, a blue Ford Fiesta and a black Citroen Saxo in the area.”

The investigation is being run by the roads policing unit at Farnborough and can be contacted by calling 0845 045 45 45.