A fatal crash involving three lorries and a car has brought the M3 near Winchester to a standstill, disrupting one of the UK’s busiest routes during the morning rush hour.
The multi-vehicle pile-up occurred at around 10.30am between junction 10 (Winchester) at Bar End and junction 9 (A34 northbound) at Winnall. Following the collision, police quickly closed the motorway in both directions between junctions 10 and 11, leading to significant delays and traffic chaos on surrounding city roads.
The southbound carriageway was reopened by 11.45am; however, the northbound side is expected to remain closed for most of the afternoon to allow ongoing emergency operations. Emergency crews kept the area clear to enable the air ambulance to land and provide urgent medical assistance to those injured. Drivers have been advised to avoid the affected stretch due to heavy congestion.
A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service confirmed: “We were called at 10.27am by Hampshire Police about a serious collision involving three HGVs and a car on the M3 northbound between junctions 10 and 9. We sent two ambulances, two rapid response paramedic teams, our Hazardous Area Response Team, and the air ambulance.”
He added: “One person with serious injuries has been taken by road to Southampton General Hospital, escorted by the air ambulance crew. Another patient with minor injuries was transported to Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, and a third individual was treated at the scene.”
An eyewitness described the scene, stating the black car was “sandwiched and crushed to a quarter of its normal size” after reportedly attempting to cut in for the A34 exit.
As night falls, special cranes are working to recover the wreckage and free the deceased driver from the crushed vehicle while rescue efforts continue.
Originally published by UKNIP.
