A WOMAN has died after being found in the middle of the motorway.

The incident on the M27 caused traffic chaos as all three lanes of the westbound carriageway were shut.

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The incident happened at the Down End Road bridge over the motorway, near junction 11.

There was initially confusion as to whether or not the woman had died, with police saying they were dealing with a body in the road, while the ambulance service saying they were treating someone for 'life threatening injuries'.

However, shortly after 2.40pm it was confirmed the woman was dead.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said they were called to the scene at 1.26pm.

He said: “We were called to reports of a person falling from the bridge over the M27 between junctions 11 and 12.

“We sent the air ambulance but it was unable to fly due to the weather, so the crew have attended in a car.

“We also sent a doctor, ambulance officer and an ambulance."

One lane was reopened shortly before 3pm, and the motorway fully reopened just before 5pm, but long delays remained.

Downend Road, which crosses the motorway, has now been reopened after police closed it to investigate the scene.