A POLICE motorcyclist was killed while on duty in a Southampton road crash.

The officer was riding an unmarked police motorcycle when he was in collision with a BMW car in Thomas Lewis Way this afternoon.

His tragic death has devastated the police community, both in Hampshire and around the UK.

Hampshire Chief Constable Andy Marsh and the county’s police and crime commissioner were both quick to send their messages of support to the officer's family, expressing the tragic loss felt by all those in the force.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh said: “This is an immensely sad day for the constabulary and the force will be deeply affected.

“We are supporting the officer's family in every way we can and our thoughts remain very much with them at this time.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, Simon Hayes said: “This is a very sad day for Hampshire Constabulary and a tragic loss of a police officer in the course of his duty.

“This tragic incident highlights the fact that police officers regularly put themselves at risk in performing their duty and in protecting the public.

“Our thoughts and sympathy go to his family and colleagues at this very difficult time.”

The tragedy happened at around 2pm, when the officer, who was not in a pursuit at the time or responding to a 999 call, and silver BMW collided on one of Southampton's busiest routes, which links the city with Eastleigh.

Emergency services were quick to arrive at the scene, including the Hampshire Isle of Wight Air Ambulance which landed in the middle of the road.

But despite their best efforts, the officer was pronounced dead on arrival at Southampton General Hospital.

The driver of the BMW, a 35-year-old man, sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital via road ambulance where he was receiving treatment tonight.

The crash forced the closure of the busy route between the junction with Mayfield Road, near the B&Q superstore and the junction with Stoneham Way, for more than six hours, as investigations took place to determine what happened.

This caused major traffic jams throughout the whole Swaythling area, with motorists caught up in congestion in Burgess Road, Woodmill Lane and Portwood Road.

Although the southern part of the road remained open, drivers heading towards the M27 faced long delays as they were diverted onto Portswood Road and Mayfield Road.

The BMW and other wreckage from the scene was eventually loaded onto the back of two recovery trucks and driven away just after 8pm and the road was reopened at 8.40pm.

A police spokesman said the officer would not be named until Thursday.