Lorry driver dies in horrific A27 crash

The incident, which happened at about 2.20pm yesterday between the A259 Emsworth and A259 Chichester westbound, involved two lorries.

One lorry is understood to have driven off the road and smashed into tree lining the busy highway.

A statement by Sussex Police said: ‘Emergency services were called to a serious collision involving two lorries westbound on the A27 at Bosham on Thursday (13 October) at 2.20pm.

‘Sadly one of the lorry drivers has died at the scene.

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Commuters still face traffic chaos after crash

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‘The dual carriageway was closed in both directions from the Fishbourne roundabout but the eastbound lane has now opened between Havant and Chichester.

‘The westbound lane is likely to remain closed for several hours for collision investigation and for debris and diesel to be removed.

‘There is a diversion in place on the A259 from the Fishbourne roundabout to Emsworth.

‘The area is extremely busy and drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.’

Councillor Michael Cheshire, Havant Borough Council leader, said the crash was an ‘awful’ incident and paid tribute to the driver killed.

He said: ‘This is a truly tragic event. Our minds and hearts must go out to the family of that poor person who won’t be coming to their family tonight.

‘Any death like this on the road is just awful.

‘I just hope that it was a tragic accident rather than maybe someone using their mobile phone or texting.’

He added that particular stretch of the A27 was a ‘relatively safe one’ as long as drivers kept their wits about them.

‘It’s a road that really should not be a problem,’ added Cllr Cheshire.

Debris was strewn across the road, with the AA claiming that a skip has fallen off the back of one of the lorries.

Traffic built up around Chichester and on the A259 through Emsworth, with rush-hour drivers facing severe delays to their journeys.

Firefighters and paramedics were initially scrambled to the emergency.

A West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service spokeswoman said they were called to the incident at 2.26pm.

She said a crew from Chichester and a fire officer attended, supported by a crew from Havant, who have since been stood down.

Paramedics from South East Coast Ambulance Service are also said they were in attendance.

A spokesman said: ‘We can confirm that we are currently in attendance to a serious road traffic collision two miles out of Chichester towards Havant involving a lorry.’