POLICE have now launched an appeal for witnesses after a serious crash left two men fighting for their lives.

Emergency services rushed to Rownhams Lane, at the junction with Hoe Lane in North Baddesley, after a Jaguar and BMW crashed at around 2.40pm on Thursday.

The driver of the red BMW, a 73-year-old man from Romsey, and the driver of the red Jaguar Sport, a 57-year-old from North Baddesley, both suffered life-threatening injuries.

They were taken to Southampton General Hospital by road – despite the air ambulance being called – where they are currently receiving treatment.

Residents rushed outside after hearing a loud bang, with some trying to help the casualties. One person who did not want to be named said: "I only live up at the back of the bungalows and I heard a horrendous bang.

"My husband came out straight away. He said that the two fronts of the cars were badly damaged.

"He said he has never seen anything like it, they had been pushed right in. He then started directing traffic to come round."

Another resident from Hoe Lane said: "It was one hell of a bang, my neighbour whose a nurse came out and helped the injured people."

And local councillor Alan Dowden has called on traffic calming measures to be implemented in the area to stop this happening again.

"It really is tragic what happened," said the councillor.

"I am now hoping that traffic calming measures can be put in place, and the funding found to do this. I was hoping this would come from the new Hoe Lane development (either as funding or built as part of the scheme).

"However, the county council will now only put in measures if there has been serious injuries or fatalities. It is of the stance of reactive rather than proactive; there is not a lot of money available to spend on such things."

Police are now investigating the exact circumstances of the collision and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Dave Hazlett, at Totton Roads Policing Unit, on 101, quoting 44170318372, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.