MOTORISTS are facing rush-hour delays after a crash on the M271.

The incident happened on the northbound carriageway between junction one for Brownhill Way and the junction with the M27 at about 6.45am.

A picture from the scene shows an overturned car in what appears to be a grass verge.

The driver is in hospital with a head injury.

There are delays in the area and a 50mph speed limit has been placed on the northbound road.

Two fire engines from St Mary's Fire Station attended the crash, and a spokesman for the station said they helped crews from Redbridge Fire Station and helped to cut the undergrowth so they could rescue the driver.

Watch manager at Redbridge Fire Station Conrad Stockley said: "At 7am a car off the highway was upside down in a ditch, there was one male on arrival and he was taken by South Central Ambulance Service by ambulance to hospital.

"We cleared the area around the car allowing them to take him.

"The driver had minor injuries. He was very lucky."

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "The call came through to us at 6.48am this morning. It was an incident with just one vehicle that had overturned.

"We had a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer and ambulance crew on the scene.

"They were assesing and treating one gentleman who has been taken to Southampton General Hospital."