Fatal crash causes major delays

A 48-year-old man struck by a lorry on the M3 early on Thursday morning has died in hospital.

The motorway was closed northbound between Eastleigh and Winchester in Hampshire after the man was hit on the carriageway at about 0540 BST.

A Hampshire police spokesman said a BMW car was parked on the hard shoulder close to where the man was hit.

The accident caused major delays during the morning rush hour with thousands of motorists stuck in jams.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to the crash to come forward.

Sgt Mark Foster, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "We would particularly like to speak to anyone who saw a silver/grey-coloured BMW X5 parked on the hard shoulder of the motorway with its hazard lights on."

The M3 was closed northbound between junctions 12 and 11 for almost six hours while police carried out investigations at the scene.

The closure caused roads across the area to become heavily congested as motorists tried to find alternative routes.