A MAN has been killed following a four-car pile-up on a Hampshire motorway today.

The man was caught in a collision involving three vehicles on the M3 southbound carriageway between Winchester Services and Junction 8 for Andover at around 6.30am.

Motorists were stuck in traffic jams for several hours, but now the road re-opened just before midday after investigating officers worked at the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Initial investigations indicate that there was a collision involving a Mitsubishi ASX 4 and a Skoda Superb, which resulted in the driver of the Mitsubishi getting out of his vehicle.

The 37-year-old man, 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.

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 backlog 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, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said crews had been called at 6.32am following reports of a pedestrian having been struck by a vehicle on the carriageway.

He said a car - containing the man and a woman - is believed to had gone off of the road.

He added: “The man then got out of the car and walked onto the carriageway. He was then struck.”

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

Crews from Eastleigh and Winchester fire stations were called to the scene.