M275 fatal crash: Tragedy as man, 40, dies while passenger, 23, suffers minor injuries

The 40-year-old man, from Lee-on-the-Solent, was in a Vauxhall Astra when the crash happened at 9.40am northbound near the park and ride junction at Tipner.

A passenger, a 23-year-old from Derbyshire, sustained minor injuries, Hampshire police confirmed.

Police closed all lanes northbound on the motorway stretch for around three hours. Lanes two and three reopened just before 1pm.

Crash investigators gathered evidence from the site where the badly-damaged car left the motorway.

It landed on the roundabout leading to Portsmouth City Council’s park and ride terminal.

Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth City Council leader, said: ‘It's absolutely terrible and must have been terrifying for them so hearts go out to the family.

‘It’s a very, very horrible thing to happen to anybody.’

He added emergency services and other agencies, including Highways England and Colas, 'worked well together’ in the aftermath.

The air ambulance attended, as did ambulances and South Central Ambulance Service’s incident response unit.

Some staff from the nearby Covid-19 testing centre saw the devastation.

Traffic built up in the surrounding area as the arterial route out of the city was blocked.

Councillor Vernon-Jackson said people were ‘very understanding’ in the gridlock.

Rebecca Hayter, whose home backs onto the motorway, said: ‘There was only one loud noise, sounded like a lorry full of scaffold, which we now presume was the sound of the car going through the barriers, and then loads of debris in the air.

'(We) did not hear any squealing brakes, just the one bang.’

She added: 'Our prayers are with all involved.’

SEE MORE: Stretch of motorway shut after car crashes off road onto roundabout by Portsmouth Park and Ride at Tipner

A Hampshire police spokesman said: ‘Despite the best efforts of the ambulance crew, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

‘His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

‘The passenger of the vehicle, a 23-year-old man, was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

‘We are investigating the exact circumstances of the collision and are keen to speak to anyone with information.'

In a direct appeal to witnesses, he added: ‘Were you in the area at the time? Perhaps you saw the vehicle in the run up to the collision? Do you have dash-cam footage?’

Tributes started to flood in via social media.

Posting on The News’ Facebook page, Lindsey Sparling said: ‘RIP. Thoughts are with his family.’

Call police on 101 quoting 44200261950.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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