M3 minibus crash victim still critical in Southampton General Hospital

The critically injured woman was one of a group of ten holidaymakers making their way to Bournemouth when the silver Ford minibus span out of control following a suspected blown tyre.

It was travelling southbound in the fast lane and careered across three lanes before leaving the carriageway and overturning, throwing two passengers from the vehicle.

The crash happened just before 9.50am yesterday between junction 5 and 6 at Old Basing near Basingstoke.

The northbound section of road also had to be closed briefly to allow for two air ambulances to land before they were redirected to a nearby field where the two most seriously injured were collected and then flown to Southampton General Hospital.

Police this morning said the seriously ill woman is in an induced coma in the city's intensive care unit.

A 66-year-old man who was initially described as being in a life threatening condition is now being described as non-serious.

A 22-year-old man, who was initially taken to North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke with suspected life-threatening injuries, is now being treated for serious - but not life-threatening - injuries.

Five other adults, a 44-year-old woman, 39-year-old woman, 29-year-old woman, a 37-year-old man and a 36-year-old man, all received minor injuries and were taken to North Hampshire Hospital for treatment.

Two children, a five-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy were uninjured but were taken to North Hampshire Hospital as a precaution.

The family are thought to have been on holiday, and travelling from Edgeware in Middlesex to Bournemouth to visit relatives when the incident occurred.

No arrests have been made.

Hampshire Constabulary is now appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward with any information about the minibus' movements before the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt Barry Long at Whitchurch Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting Operation Woodruff.