A MOTHER died in a tragic accident on a Hampshire road after her car smashed through a barrier on a bridge over the River Itchen and plunged 30 feet into a field below.

The unnamed woman was driving to collect her young children from pre-school when the horrific accident took place.

The youngsters were left stranded at the school until police could give their father the news and arrange for them to be collected.

The woman's Ford Galaxy people carrier landed on its roof after leaving the A31 near Alresford in what a police spokesman described as "a particularly nasty accident".

It travelled about 40 feet after demolishing a section of the bridge parapet.

The mother, who was the only person in the Winchester-bound vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident according to police, and it is not known why the driver lost control.

The horror smash took place shortly after midday yesterday on the Alresford by-pass between the Ladycroft and Ropley roundabouts.

Police closed the road until late yesterday evening and redirected traffic through Alresford.

The maroon Ford was last night being removed by officers and taken away for examination by experts.

Police are not releasing any details about the woman until her next of kin have been informed of the tragedy.

A witness to the aftermath of the tragedy, who did not want to be named, said: "If it had been 20 feet earlier she would have gone down an embankment and been all right.

"Everyone here is shocked. They are all very quiet."

He added that the barrier did nothing to stop the out-of-control car.

"It should have been designed to stop her, but it didn't. She has just gone straight through," he said.

Anyone with information about the accident should contact officers at Winchester traffic department on 0845 045 4545.