A MAN is fighting for his life after a serious crash which closed a main Hampshire road.

The A35 was closed both ways between Station Road and the B3058 Holmsley Road in Burley in the New Forest yesterday.

The closure was the result of a crash which involved a red Nissan Navara towing a "tea cup" fair ground ride.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit were at the scene working to identify what happened.

After the Nissan travelled through Burley Manor crossroads, the driver of another vehicle a few cars back spotted a man lying in the road.  

The man, a 51-year-old from Kent, had suffered serious head injuries.

It is believed other motorists rushed to the aid of the man involved in the accident before emergency services arrived on the scene.

Police officers are focussing their enquiries on establishing how he came to be there and working to identify him and inform his family. 

Sergeant Adrienne Jerram said: “We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the red Nissan Navara towing the ride as it travelled from Christchurch Quay, through Somerford and on the A35 towards Lyndhurst.

“We would like to know if anyone noticed anything unusual about the vehicle or its trailer.”

The man has been taken to Southampton General Hospital where his injuries are described as life threatening. 

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance said: “We were called to the incident on the A35 just after 4pm and sent an ambulance crew and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

“We can now confirm that an adult male has been taken by land ambulance to Southampton General Hospital in critical condition.”

Police were also called to the scene just after 4pm to the A35 near Burley Hotel.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “It appears to be a single vehicle incident.

"One man been taken to Southampton General Hospital with a serious injury.”

Paul Jenson, owner of the Old Station Holmsley Tea Rooms near where the accident happened, said: "The first I knew of something happening was the air ambulance arriving, it's horrible.

"I've heard that a few people rushed out to help a man and performed CPR before the emergency services arrived and there are a lot of police here investigating.

"I don't know how it happened at all but the road is closed off.”

The road reopened at 8.02pm according to Hampshire Constabulary.

Police say they would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information which could help their investigation.  

Call 101 and ask for Totton RPU, quoting Operation Classical.