A337 crash victim named as retired GP Annie Baughan

THE woman who died in a crash on the A337 near Brockenhurst last week has been named as 61-year-old retired GP Annie Baughan.

Annie, who lived in Sway, was known to her patients as Dr Rutherford and had worked at New Milton Health Centre for 22 years before stepping down last year.

The mother-of-three was killed in a collision between her Skoda Fabia and a lorry shortly before 5pm last Thursday on the stretch of road linking Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst.

In a tribute issued through the police, the family said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Annie Baughan; beloved wife, mum, sister, auntie and a dear friend to so many.

“Annie was a huge part of community life in Sway and beyond.

“She practised as a GP in New Milton under her maiden name, Dr Rutherford, until her retirement last year. She is so loved and much missed.”

Annie had retired last year to spend more time with her husband, a former hospital consultant, and had planned to become more involved in village life and to travel.

When she left the surgery, many patients sent letters and cards in appreciation for her work there.

Investigations are ongoing and police have renewed their appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage of the incident which killed Annie, who lived in The Close, Sway.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the lorry, a 53-year-old man from Gloucestershire, was uninjured.

After the incident, Sgt Rebecca Hodge, from the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “We are particularly keen to speak to the drivers of two vehicles who were directly behind the collision.

“We understand that they turned around and drove off before we arrived, so we would like to speak to these people as they may have information that could help with our investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact Hampshire Police on 101, quoting 44190195019.