A MAN is today fighting for his life in hospital after being struck by a car in Southampton.

The 28-year-old collided with a car in Bassett Avenue, Southampton, at around 6pm last night and suffered life threatening injuries.

He was rushed to Southampton General Hospital while police closed the road for almost two hours to examine the scene.

South Central Ambulance Service sent one ambulance and said they were treating a male pedestrian for injuries including leg wounds.

Paramedics also treated another patient at the scene, but did not confirm the extent of their injuries.

Some eight police vehicles were parked around the section of road which was closed, with officers directing traffic away from the accident.

It caused rush-hour traffic chaos throughout the city with lengthy delays stretching along The Avenue and Winchester Road as vehicles tried to leave the city via one of Southampton's busiest routes.

Motorists were urged to find alternative routes out as officers cordoned off the road between Memorial Roundabout and Chilworth Roundabout.

It is understood the vehicle collided with the man in the middle of the road, which takes traffic in and out of Southampton to the M3 and M27.

The car was removed shortly before 7.30pm yesterday and had a smashed windscreen.

Residents said it was the second crash to happen in the space of a few days with a minor collision occurring on Friday.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “They closed the road for two hours and it was a nightmare trying to get out as I had a meeting to go to. Police did not tell us much about what was going on but it was clear it was a serious incident because the road was closed for so long.”

Another resident said: “I saw a man in the middle of the road and it was clear he was injured but he was breathing and police were trying to talk to him and reassure him.”

The roads were reopened shortly after 7.30pm.