A teenager is fighting for her life after the car she was travelling in collided with a pony in the New Forest.
A Volkswagen Polo being driven through the New Forest crashed into a pony which had escaped onto the A35 around 11.15pm yesterday.
An 18-year-old woman from Brockenhurst, Hampshire, who was a passenger in the car, was taken to hospital and has suffered life-threatening injuries.
It is believed the pony, which died at the scene, escaped onto the road through an insecure gate which may have been left open by a member of the public.
The driver and another passenger, both 18 year-old women, were not injured in the crash.
Around 3,000 ponies roam the New Forest and are regularly involved in crashes.
The animals are usually kept off major roads by the gates but they are left to roam free on minor roads.
Police are investigating the incident which occurred near Holmsey, Hampshire.
