A LORRY driver has died in hospital after his vehicle smashed into a crash barrier on the M27 near Fareham.

The 58-year-old was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth by air ambulance, but died a short time later.

He is thought to have suffered a heart attack at the wheel with the vehicle slewing off the carriageway yesterday.

Police were called at about 7.45am after the crash between junctions nine and 10.

The incident forced the police to close the motorway. Sgt Julian Williams, from the Joint Roads Policing Unit, said: “We know that the closure of one of Hampshire’s major routes causes disruption to many people and we always make it a priority to reopen roads as quickly as possible following collisions such as this.

“However, we also have to ensure that we carry out a thorough investigation to establish exactly what happened, as well as working with our partner agencies on the safe recovery of the vehicle and to ensure the road is made is safe for motorists. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

The westbound carriageway was closed for nearly six hours but reopened at 1.30pm yesterday with the eastbound opening soon after.

Suella Fernandes, MP for Fareham, said: “My heart goes out to the driver’s family at this difficult time.”

Commuters reported that the lorry’s windscreen was smashed and the vehicle was ‘wedged’ behind the crash carrier on the hard shoulder with wooden pallets scattered nearby.

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance service said: “We received a call at 7.37am 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 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.”

The news follows five other serious incidents which were recorded over the last ten days, starting with a trailer which overturned and completely blocked the eastbound carriageway of the M27 at junction 9 and a multi-vehicle crash between junctions 11 and 12, also on the eastbound carriageway, which caused delays for several hours on March 25.

Three more incidents occurred this week: a major camper van fire closed two lanes between junction 8 for Hamble and junction 7 for Hedge End westbound on Monday and a multi-vehicle crash involving a lorry and a car westbound between junctions 9 and 10.

Finally, a major collision between junctions 8 and 9 on the westbound carriageway on Thursday evening left tailbacks for miles.

Commenting on the series of accidents, Ms Fernandes added: “Drivers need to take responsibility for their behaviour and be very mindful when driving on the motorway, especially on the M27 which is very congested and has constant chronic traffic problems.”

Cllr Sean Woodward, the leader of Fareham Borough Council, added: “It’s three important things, drivers driving too fast, being too close to each other and not paying attention.

“It’s all about driver awareness and behaviour, some drivers can be very aggressive, the red mist then descends, then before you know it a major incident gas occurred causing.”