POLICE have released initial details of a fatal crash in which a man walked out onto a busy motorway.

The incident took place on the M3 at 6.39am today when the driver of a Mitsubishi ASX 4 got out of his vehicle following a collision with a Skoda Superb.

The two cars were travelling southbound between junctions eight and nine at the time of the crash.

After getting out of his car, the 37-year-old Mitsubishi driver, from Southampton, was then struck by a third vehicle, a Citroen Berlingo.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drivers of the two other vehicles were uninjured.

As a result of the collision, the stretch of motorway was closed to allow for officers to conduct their investigations into the exact circumstances of the incident.

The crash caused chaos in the area with delays on many surrounding routes, such as the A303 and A34.

Traffic was diverted at junction eight where drivers can take the A303 westbound and the A34 southbound to re-join the M3 at junction nine.

The crash caused delays on the northbound carriageway due to motorists slowing down to look.

The road was reopened just before midday.

Roads Policing Sergeant Barry Long, from the Joint Operations Unit, said: “We know that closing such major route for several hours causes huge inconvenience for motorists but we would like to thank all those caught up in the back log for their patience and understanding that we will always do our best to reopen roads as quickly as possible.

“We have already spoken to many motorists who witnessed what happened this morning but if there are any other witnesses who have yet to speak us, please get in touch.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who saw any of the vehicles prior to the collision.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Long on 101, quoting 44160391970.