A POOLE schoolgirl with a love of horse riding has died following a car crash on one of the county's most notorious roads.

Jo Malcolm, aged 17, died after her blue Citroen Saxo hit one of the many trees lining the A35 near the Bloxworth turning.

The teenager, a popular Parkstone Grammar School student, was driving alone towards Poole when the vehicle went out of control around 9pm on Tuesday.

It is believed passing motorists raised the alarm, but despite police and ambulance crews rushing to the crash site, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Family and friends are said to be devastated by the tragic news, while fellow pupils at the school were told the shocking news in an assembly yesterday morning.

On MySpace, an internet social networking site, Jo listed her interests as sports, horse riding and partying. The energetic teen also worked at Studland Riding Stables.

A police spokesman confirmed: "The driver sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene."

An inquest was due to open into the death of the teenager.

Crash investigators closed the road for several hours and police are urging witnesses to contact them on 01202 222222.