One woman died and another is in a critical condition in hospital after a major pile-up on a road known as "death mile".

Three cars and a lorry were involved in a head-on collision on the A27 at Selmeston, between Lewes and Eastbourne, at 11am yesterday.

A woman was pronounced dead at the scene while another woman had to be airlifted by helicopter to Eastbourne District General Hospital. Last night she was fighting for her life.

Ambulance crews confirmed a total of four other patients were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton and the Eastbourne DGH with injuries after fire crews had to cut two people from their cars.

Two of the cars were written off along with the HGV lorry, which was from Worthing-based company Quake Energy Services.

The firm yesterday confirmed two employees had been taken to hospital but were not seriously hurt.

The road between Beddingham and Drusillas roundabouts was blocked for six hours while police investigated.

The accident occurred 500 yards from a bend at the brow of a hill.

The section of road is part of an accident blackspot known as the Firle Straight section between Lewes and Polegate, which has been labelled "death mile".

Latest statistics revealed by the Highways Agency confirmed four people had died and 18 were seriously injured along the notorious route in the past two years.

Laura Knight, 37, who works at Barley Mow Pub in Selmeston, half a mile from where the accident happened, said: "An accident along this bit of road is a monthly event.

"It happens so regularly it seems like the road is always closed. As soon as you hear the sirens you just know it has happened again. It is horrendous."

Lewes MP Norman Baker has been campaigning about the dangerous stretch and was photographed by The Argus just yards from yesterday's accident four months ago as part of a campaign to get the road made into a by-pass.

He said: "Some changes are planned along the road but obviously they haven't come in time.

"This accident proves we need to bring forward the improvements in this area as soon as possible."

A spokesman from the Highways Agency said speed curbing measures were earmarked for the village including a reduction of the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph. Double white lines would also be installed to try to prevent drivers from overtaking.

He said: "The safety of our roads is the priority and we have been identifying areas along the whole of the A27 to carry out improvements and there is a scheme starting at Selmeston in the summer."

The Argus carried a special report last October which highlighted 'death mile'.

Other A27 blackspots include sections of the road at Durrington, Worthing, and at Fontwell.

In a rating of the most dangerous roads in Sussex last year, the A27 merited five entries: the stretches between Eastbourne and Lewes, between Lewes and Brighton, between Brighton and Worthing, from Worthing to Fontwell, and from Fontwell to the Hampshire border.

Anyone with information about yesterday's accident is asked to contact the Road Policing Unit at Polegate on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Glencat.

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