POLICE have launched an investigation after a young man was killed on a busy Hampshire motorway.

The incident, on Saturday evening, saw part of the eastbound M27 closed at Junction 5 after the man, in his twenties, was hit by a grey Citroen Xsara on the entry slip road.

Hampshire Constabulary, who have not named the victim, confirmed he died of his injuries at the scene.

A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service told the Echo: “We got a call at 7.15pm on Saturday about the incident involving a male being hit by a vehicle,” she added.

“We sent one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle, one officer and an advanced emergency care practitioner.

“Unfortunately the male was pronounced dead at the scene. No one else was injured.”

A statement from the police added: “The slip road and two lanes of the eastbound carriageway were closed for a number of hours to allow a thorough investigation to take place.”

Now a local councillor has called for a campaign to be launched to teach residents about the dangers of motorways.

“It is quite a shocking incident,” said Hampshire county councillor for Eastleigh South Wayne Irish.

“The only thing we can really do is to have a campaign to inform people how dangerous motorways are, like we already have in place for railway lines.

“We just have to make people aware that motorways are dangerous places and should not be used by pedestrians in any way.”

Taking to social media, locals have paid tribute to the victim.

One said: “Very sad! Thoughts with the man’s family and also to the driver involved.”

Another added: “I feel sorry for the family of the young lad and the driver who is going to have this hanging over them for the rest of their life."

Witnesses to the incidents hould call 101 quoting Operation Lateral (44170389714).