A CRASH brought traffic chaos during the morning rush hour on one of the county's busiest roads.

The accident occurred when a van crashed into the back of an Army track on the A34 southbound near Sutton Scotney at about 4.50am yesterday.

The driver of the Renault van was trapped in the wreckage for two hours before firefighters cut him free. He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital where his injuries were described as non life-threatening.

Police closed the A34 southbound at Bullington Cross for four hours until 8.50am.

The diversion forced hundreds of vehicles up to Bullington Lane, through Sutton Scotney, past South Wonston and back onto the A34 at Three Maids Hill, just north of Winchester.

The crash brought major disruption to business as many lorries were too big to turn around and had to wait until the road was cleared.

Sergeant Paul Owen, of the Winchester Roads Policing Unit said: "The driver's very lucky. He was trapped for a long time."

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them quoting Operation Dollarbird on 0845 045 4545.