A seven-year-old girl and 43-year-old woman have been killed in a car crash near a tunnel on a major road in Surrey. 

The single-vehicle collision has prompted a police appeal for information after a red Ford Fiesta, which was carrying the two victims, ‘left the carriageway’ on Thursday morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene on the A3 southbound carriageway just after Hindhead Tunnel at around 10am. 

The victims, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, were pronounced dead at the scene but police have only today confirmed the fatalities. 

The A3 southbound was closed for several hours on Thursday following the collision before it was reopened. 

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary today said: ‘We are appealing for information following a fatal collision on the A3.

‘Emergency services were called just after 10am on Thursday 19 February to a single vehicle collision on the A3 southbound carriageway, just after Hindhead Tunnel.

‘It was reported a red Ford Fiesta left the carriageway. 

The southern end of the A3 tunnel under Hindhead where the crash occurred at around 10am on Thursday. Police today confirmed the victims died at the scene, with officers appealing for information 

‘The two occupants – a 43-year-old woman and a seven-year-old girl, both from Portsmouth – were both sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

‘We would like to thank motorists for their patience as the A3 southbound was closed for several hours before it could be reopened.

‘We would like to speak to any witnesses and in particular anyone with relevant dash cam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to it.’ 

The force urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting reference 44260083669. 

Reports can also be made online via the Hampshire police website.