M27 motorway reopens after lorry driver killed in crash

A westbound stretch of the motorway remained shut while a gantry was removed

A stretch of the M27 motorway in Hampshire has reopened after a crash in which a lorry driver died.

The lorry and two cars were involved in the crash near junction five for Southampton Airport shortly after 12:30 GMT on Wednesday.

A 36-year-old man from Salisbury in Wiltshire died at the scene.

Part of the westbound carriageway was shut for about 36 hours while a damaged gantry was removed. The road reopened in the early hours of Friday.

Officers have renewed an a appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage

Police said the Mercedes lorry caught fire "several hours" after the crash, which also involved a Nissan Juke and Volkswagen Polo, damaging a gantry.

A 32-year-old man from Yapton, Arundel, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink-driving.

A 40-year-old woman from Littlehampton was held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, drink-driving and drug-driving.

A 37-year-old man from Littlehampton was also arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

All three have since been released on bail until 21 May.

Police said the trio were taken to hospital, while a woman in the Nissan suffered minor injuries.

Officers have renewed an a appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage.

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