ONE man was killed and two others are fighting for their lives after a horrific car crash in the New Forest last night.

The occupants of a Ford Sierra were thrown from the vehicle as it careered out of control and burst into flames just before 8pm.

The car is understood to have been overtaking another vehicle when the accident happened on the A35.

A witness said today: "The Sierra was crossing a bridge over the former railway line at Holmsley when it went out of control.

"It struck a telegraph pole, snapping it in two, and then half overturned before hitting a second telegraph pole.

"When I arrived firefighters and paramedics were working feverishly on all three occupants. One was later certified dead."

Police closed the A35 for several hours and set up diversions. The Burley to Brockenhurst road, which runs along the former railway line, was also shut.

The witness added: "There have been several serious accidents on that stretch of the A35 in recent years.

"It's a fast bit of road and quite bumpy on the bridge over the old railway. Anyone going a bit too fast could quite easily lose control."

A police spokesman said: "The car was travelling towards Lymington and was descending towards a junction at Holmsley when it went out of control and crashed.

"The three occupants were thrown out of the vehicle, which then caught fire.

"The driver was fatally injured and the other two men in the car were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

"Police need to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash or the manner in which the car was being driven just before the accident."

Ring the traffic unit at Lyndhurst police station on 0845 045 4545.