A HAMPSHIRE police officer is fighting for his life after his high-speed patrol car smashed into a hedge.

The Lymington-based PC was dashing to the aid of a fellow officer when his vehicle careered off the road yesterday lunchtime.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital with what were described as life-threatening injuries.

The accident happened on the busy A337 one mile south of Brockenhurst shortly after midday.

The road was closed for several hours while police investigated the crash and cleared the debris.

A police spokesman said the officer was travelling from Lymington to Lyndhurst in a BMW estate vehicle known as an immediate response area car.

The spokesman added: "He was responding to a call for assistance from another officer, and was travelling with his lights and sirens on, when the crash happened.

"At this stage it does not appear that any other vehicle was involved."

Police are not revealing details of the incident that sparked the call for help to which the officer was responding when the accident occurred.

The 31-year-old PC, the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered head, chest and stomach injuries when his car crashed into the hedge.

Anyone who saw what happened should ring the traffic unit at Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 4545.