A TEENAGER left fighting for her life after a crash near Winchester is in a serious but stable condition, police have said.

Four others were injured after two cars collided last night on the southbound A34 slip road where it connects with the M3 at Kings Worthy.

Four ambulances and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance along with other paramedics were sent to the scene at around 6.55pm.

Firefighters from Winchester and Eastleigh stations were also despatched and spent 90 minutes cutting the 17-year old girl from the red Nissan Micra.

The teenager, from Basingstoke, was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where she was treated for what were described as multiple life-threatening injuries.

A police statement issued this morning said: "She is now in a serious but stable condition."

Four other people were taken to hospital by South Central Ambulance Service, one with a neck injury, a second with a chest injury and a third with a "serious hand injury"

The Micra driver, a 22-year-old man, and other passenger, a 17-year-old man, both from Basingstoke, suffered minor injuries.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Peugeot 406, two men aged 62 and 60, from Winchester, also suffered minor injuries.

It is not known how serious their injuries are nor their ages but fire fighters were at the scene for 90 minutes trying to free the teenage girl.

Watch manager Mark Compton, of Winchester Fire Station, said today: "It was very difficult because of the instability of the ground. The car was on its side. We had to remove the roof.

"We were concerned not to damage her spine. It was very difficult, we had to ensure the car was stable and wasn't going to topple over. We had to change our plan constantly. I was pleased with how the team performed."

A police investigation into the circumstances is taking place.

A section of the A33 where it joins with the A34, southbound, was closed until shortly before midnight. Diversions were in place for vehicles travelling from the Basingstoke direction.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sergeant Bates or PC Gunby at the Whitchurch Roads Policing unit, quoting Operation Price, on 101.