UPDATE: Lorry driver in life-threatening condition after M27 crash

Police shut the road in both directions between Junction 10 (Wickham) and Junction 9 (Fareham West) as emergency services raced to the scene.

Now South Central Ambulance service said the driver, in his 60s, has been rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

A spokesman said: ‘We received a call at 07.37am this morning reporting an HGV having left the carriageway and crashed into a barrier/embankment on the hard shoulder between J10-9 westbound on the M27.

‘We sent a rapid response vehicle, an officer, an ambulance and the air ambulance to the scene.

‘The approximately 60-year-old driver suffered a serious medical emergency at the wheel and was taken by road to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, in a life-threatening condition.’

A commuter told The News the lorry’s windscreen was smashed and the vehicle was ‘wedged’ behind the crash carrier on the hard shoulder.

Wooden pallets are scattered near the lorry.

The driver said junction 11 was shut as traffic was being taken off the motorway.

Hampshire police tweeted at 8.16am: ‘We’re closing the M27 between Junction 10 and 9 following a collision to allow the air ambulance to land. Please avoid the area if possible.’

Police said the crash involved a single lorry travelling westbound, the driver of which had been injured.

Reports said the vehicle veered into a barrier and onto the verge.

By 8.30am, the eastbound carriageway and one lane westbound had reopened.