TWO women are fighting for their lives today after a car ploughed into them as they walked along a New Forest road.

The pair were rushed to Southampton General Hospital with critical injuries after being struck by a green Ford Granada as they headed along Newlands Road at Blackfield late on Saturday night.

Details of the crash were unclear today but it was understood the women, both believed to be in their early 30s, were among a handful of people who had been walking along the road just before midnight.

Police said one woman had been thrown into a ditch while a second had crashed through the windscreen when they were struck near the junction with Long Copse.

Both suffered life-threatening injuries.

One was understood to be undergoing surgery at Southampton General Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Last night both victims, who have yet to be named, were said to be critical but stable.

Police said no other vehicle appeared to have been involved in the incident, which happened at 11.52pm on Saturday. The crash prompted police to launch an investigation codenamed Operation Esher.

Sgt Chris Sweeney, of Lyndhurst traffic police, leading the inquiry, stressed the cause was still being investigated but confirmed two people had been arrested. Both were still being questioned by police last night.

Police officers, firefighters and ambulance crews all raced to the scene of the collision. Residents living near the scene yesterday expressed their concern about the speed at which some motorists drove along Newlands Road. David Patrick, 45, a design consultant, of Long Copse, said: "We often hear screeching tyres late at night.

"You can hear people driving around at high speed. But we're luckier than some places in the country. I walk my dog up and down this road and I often hear cars going faster than 60mph."

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call Lyndhurst traffic officers on 0845 045 4545