A community has been left “devastated” after a fatal collision in Carpenders Park.

Police said a woman in her 70's died at the scene of the crash in Oxhey Lane at 4.50pm.

Extensive damage was done to the front of both cars and the road was blocked after the crash between a silver Vauxhall Astra and a blue Kia Rio.

The road was closed for more than four hours, causing problems for commuters travelling between Watford and Harrow.

The driver of the other car - a woman in her 30's - is being treated in hospital after the accident. Her injuries are not thought to be serious.

Motorists caught up in the gridlocked traffic jumped out of their vehicles to help and directed oncoming traffic.

Firefighters were also called to the scene and they had to cut the woman in her 70's from her vehicle.

One neighbour, whose property backs on to the road, said: "I heard an extended car horn which abruptly stopped, followed by what sounded like a thump at which point I felt the house shake a little.

"About 10 minutes later I heard a lot of emergency vehicles stopping just behind the garden.

"I climbed my fence and had a look to see a line of traffic and various emergency vehicles including an unmarked police car.

"15-20 minutes after this I heard and saw an air ambulance circling over the trees and I assume it landed on a nearby field."

Another Highfield resident described how she spoke to the younger of the two women involved in the crash.

The woman said: “She said she was from Leicester and did not know the area very well. 

“She was completely shocked - she was not in a good way.

“I think one of the ladies had to be taken out of their car by the fire service.

“Whoever was there was trying to help. They were either calling the police, ambulance and the fire service. I spoke to the police to say exactly where the collision had happened.”

The 48-year-old woman said the air-bags of both cars had deployed and extensive damage had been done to the front of both cars.

The crash has left residents in Carpenders Park shocked, with many describing it as “tragic”.

Neighbours helped to direct traffic down Carpenders Avenue as Hertfordshire Constabulary closed off the road beteween Little Oxhey Lane and Carpenders Avenue.

One Wellington Close neighbour said: “It happened on our doorstep and it is awful.

“Lots of people were asking what had happened and quite a few people went out to have a look. It is devastating. Heart-breaking.

“There were quite a few people from round here who went out and directed traffic. Everyone was really devastated.”

Another said: “To know someone has passed away on our doorstep- it does not get any closer to home than this.

“We were very upset last night.”

Sergeant Sam Cordingly, of the road policing unit, said: "This is a tragic incident where a woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her friends and family at this time.

"I am appealing for anyone who was driving along this road and saw the two vehicles before the collision too place, or anyone who witnessed the actual collision, to please get in touch with us as soon as possible."