A WOMAN died four days after a crash on the A35 at Askerswell - the second fatal crash in five days oin the same stretch of road.

She was a passenger in a Land Rover Discovery which overturned while towing a caravan on the road at 1.05pm today.

The woman, a 48 year old from the Poole area, was being treated at Southampton General Hospital.

The driver, a 52 year old man from the Poole area, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

An 11 year old boy who was also a passenger in the vehicle escaped injury in the crash.

Police said that the vehicle rolled several times after losing control and are appealing for witnesses.

A police spokesman said: "At 1.05pm a single vehicle collision occured on the A35 at Askerswell.

"A Land Rover Discovery towing a caravan left the carriiageway, causing the vehicle to roll several times.

"The driver, a 52 year man from the Poole area, suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Dorset County Hospital.

"One of the passengers, a 48 year old woman from the Poole area, suffered life threatening injuries and is currently in Southampton hospital.

"An 11 year old boy also in the vehicle has suffered no injuries.

"The road was closed for several hours while the investigation took place.

"Any witnesses to the collision or the manner of driving prior to the collision are asked to call PC Gareth Blaken on 101."

The woman, who is believed to have suffered head injuries, was airlifted by the Devon Air Ambulance.

The A35 was closed in both directions between Shipton Gorge and Monkey's Jump.

A spokeswoman for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: "We attended with two rapid response vehicles and two ambuances and a helicopter was also on scene.

"The helicopter took a very seriously injured patient to Southampton with a head trauma.

"One child and an adult were also taken to Dorset County Hospital."

Firefighters also attended the incident.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Bridport attended and a casualty was extricated from the landrover.

Witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call PC Blaken at the police on 101 quoting reference number 207.